Chinese KB Hydrofoil : 300 USD + shipment

[tegirinenashi]

I didn't have a chance to ride it more. The only doubt I have is that torsion might be somewhere on high side (I measured around 20 mm). It is noticeably "twistier" than LF, which, unfortunately, I don't have assembled anymore to benchmark against. Lack of torsion strength might explain vibration and that faint buzzing sound that I might have heard. But you don't expect high modulus carbon in that price range, do you?

[Europ2]

I didn't have a chance to ride it more. The only doubt I have is that torsion might be somewhere on high side (I measured around 20 mm). It is noticeably "twistier" than LF, which, unfortunately, I don't have assembled anymore to benchmark against.

@tegirinenashi
Thanks a lot. So many readers watching this post
It's very interesting that the Liquid Force HF has become a benchmark.
For each foil, could you give us the "wall to wall' distance that is between top of the plate (board bottom) to bottom of fuselage (used to support the pen).

Would you have pictures of your mast to plate "repair" process ?

In order not to pollute the curent post, could you please reply to the following one with your figures ?
viewtopic.php?f=196&t=2382637&p=816436& ... te#p816436
It is a reminder to help understanding the method + a mean to compare the 2017 Chinese manufacturing stiffness to the established brands' one.

It is also interesting to see that the shipment price is slowly going down (125 to 100 USD) according to destination.

To take into account the whole unbranded production that are JNJ on Aliexpress and all the others arriving on Alibaba, I changed the post title to "Chinese KB Hydrofoil : 300 USD + shipment".

[downunder]

I can assure you last year (current?) Levitaz torsion IS on a high side.

LF alu mast profile is ~20mm thick if remember well (will check at home). The bending deflection comes from thickens cubed in the equation.

[tegirinenashi]

13.5 mm
http://liquidforcekites.com/product/foils/happy-foil-2/
For the reference, orange mast (prior generation 2015) was 15 mm wide.
JNJ is about 14 mm wide.

[vman]

hows the ride?

[tegirinenashi]

hows the ride?

Little better, than first time, thank you very much. Was able to keep up with twin tip riders . Hit sandbar, got minor scratches. The 200 hz or so sound is definitely there; not always, but on some riding modes.

Rick said he didn't experience drop downs like me. He took it faster than his low AR foil, but not to full speed...

[james]

Sorry.

You state that fusealarge stiffness doesn't matter behind the mast? Where you drew the green lines?

It does, hugely!

How can you maintain a fixed angle of attack on the rear wing if it is twisting and flexing.

Control issues vibration etc will be the result why the hell do brands work to stiffen fuselarge and reduce torsion if it doesn't matter?

This thread is like the blind leading the blind, cool you got a new cheap foil but how the hell can you get meaningfull feedback as a total novice, yes you have thrown lots of numbers about, well done, but with no context, not knowing what your new foil is actually made from ( fibre composition, core material, weight of cloth etc)

You simply can't apply a regimented comparison in the way you are attempting.

It all sounds a bit carafino, the people that bought them said they were great and anyone that disagreed got flamed, I fully expect the same.

[Rufusz]

...not knowing what your new foil is actually made from ( fibre composition, core material, weight of cloth etc)

You simply can't apply a regimented comparison in the way you are attempting.

It all sounds a bit carafino, the people that bought them said they were great and anyone that disagreed got flamed, I fully expect the same.

What about "decent" HF brands? I have not found any information regarding fiber composition, layups, core material, etc advertised on any "proper" HF manufacturer's website...

IMHO any feedback is useful on a new product, there is no need for flame. The Carafino example is also not valid as no one is praising the product as it's perfect.

[Blackrat]

Why make the fuse in two pieces to save packaging space when the mast/strut is the longest piece ? Or would you recommend making that in two pieces too ?

[paulOz]

Two ways to say what you said James.
Try the other way next time.