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The 'Flyak' is a hydrofoil adaptation to the conventional kayak. Twin hydrofoils are designed to raise the hull clear of the water and increase the speed. Speeds of up to 27.2 km·h⁻¹ (7.6 m·s⁻¹, 16.9 mph) can be achieved on calm water.^[1]

Contents

Design

History

Comparisons and Records

References

See also

External links

Design

The Flyak has two hydrofoil fins below the surface of the water to create lift. At high speeds the entire hull is lifted 15 cm from the water, reducing the drag and allowing even greater speeds, reportedly more than twice that of a conventional kayak.

History

The Flyak was designed by Einar Rasmussen and Peter Ribe in Norway and released in 2005.^[2] Hydrofoil lift method is well established for motored and man-powered water craft, but the Flyak is the first to incorporate the design into a commercial kayak. Initial price estimate is US$ 2 500.

Comparisons and Records

A 200 m sprint was performed pitting Olympic athlete Andreas Gjersøe in a Flyak against the four-man Norwegian National Team in a K4 kayak on Sunday November 13, 2005.^[3] This race was featured on "Beyond Tomorrow" broadcast on Wednesday February 8, 2006.^[4] It was reported that the Flyak won by a boat length. A K1 sprint specialist in a conventional kayak would expect to be some five seconds slower than a four-man boat over 200 m.

References

1. Foilkayak page detailing speed statistics
2.
Full speed ahead for revolutionary kayak Thoresen, Thore-Erik
3. Norweigian kayak race info
4. Beyond Tomorrow show archive

See also

★ Kayak

★ Hydrofoil

★ Human-powered transport

External links

★ Foilkayak "Flyak" home page

★ YouTube video of Flyak in motion

★ Human-Powered-Hydrofoils.com

★ The International Hydrofoil Society