Here's hoping this stays around long enough for Laird Hamilton to see it.
Anyone who is an avid surfer or waterskier probably knows what I'm talking about, but a hyrdofoil board (hereafter "foilboard") is basically a surfboard with a pole attached to the bottom, at the end of which is a hydrofoil. By being pulled, i.e. by a jet ski, or simply riding the waves like a conventional surfboard, the rider ends up suspended several feet above the water.
Here's a video (the logo goes away after around 10 seconds)
Anyway, my idea is this: Replace the static hydrofoil with a small motorized propeller. Angled properly, it would lift the rider upwards and forwards, in the same way that the foil does.
The only problem I can see is weight; it would probably not be possible to do jumps, etc. But this would also add to stability.
So, any watersport enthusiasts care to make any comments?
JoshWoodzy
Joined: May 22 2008
Location: Goshen, VA
Posts: 6544
Posted:
Jul 16 2012 01:45 pm
Wouldn't falling backwards onto a running propeller be a problem too?
Skinr
Title: Minituae Guru
Joined: Jul 17 2010
Location: Elsinore
Posts: 388
Posted:
Jul 17 2012 02:55 pm
I was thinking of having the propeller inside a tube, similar to how a jet turbine is constructed. And in any case, it would be situated more towards the middle of the board than the back.
SHODAN
Title: Sentient
Joined: Jul 21 2012
Location: Citadel
Posts: 12
Posted:
Jul 21 2012 11:05 pm
If you build one, I would buy it. Even though it would not really be a hoverboard. At least in my opinion.
Are you afraid? What is it you fear? The end of your trivial existence? When the history of my glory is written, your species shall only be a footnote to my magnificence. I am SHODAN.
Skinr
Title: Minituae Guru
Joined: Jul 17 2010
Location: Elsinore
Posts: 388
Posted:
Jul 24 2012 05:32 pm
No, but it's as close as we're going to get until I finish my antigravity field generator.
Artist Sue Austin has been in an wheelchair since 1996. With the support of scuba-diving experts, Austin has created a wheelchair fit with a propeller and fins that enable her to steer the wheelchair underwater. This wheelchair is part of her ongoing project called ‘Freewheeling’, which focuses on the intersection of art and disability.
