Zeeko revolutionise the hydrofoil for 2015

[kiterzk]

The new Zeeko mold design for getting super smooth carbon and 30% less rear wing size.





This on http://zeeko-kites.co.uk/blog.html

[gmb13]

Hi,

The topic heading got me curious, but where is the revolution here?

Did I miss something? It looks like a good foil, but there is nothing new here.

--
Gunnar

[revhed]

Yes, I also was excited to see the "revolution"
The only new claims I see are the fuse adding lift, a very small front wing and smaller SA R wing , flat, with a TT style fin and different profile.
That being said, knowing Zeeko I would bet it is a great KBHF, sure hope I get to fly one soon!
I am not sure of a 1 meter strut though?
All my fuses have TT fin hole spacing to be able test with and without, this is why we know flat R wings with no vert element have to loose yaw stability for most.
I settled on the "moustache" , Wing tips angled up.
I would think for DIYers laying up R wings on a thick glass base for a perfect flat male or better female mold, or a flat plug, and then using TT fins is a way to go.

In all fairness the "Adaptative vertical fin" concept is an interesting and welcome commercial KBHF "INNOVATION" IMHO.

R H

[gmb13]

Removable Vertical Stab fin has been around for ages. We at magma have been using this since 2010. Not really an innovation.



--
Gunnar

[zfennell]

Hi,

The topic heading got me curious, but where is the revolution here?

Did I miss something? It looks like a good foil, but there is nothing new here.

--
Gunnar

I doubt any commercial "advertisement " could withstand real scrutiny of promises made.
People actively selling a product tend to take some liberties that could not hold up to a lie detector test.

Perhaps magma has stretched the truth a bit in some of their ads?

As an acknowledged expert in this field, I would be more interested in your technical opinion of the zeeko product, regardless of the claims.
Regards,
Bill

[revhed]

Removable Vertical Stab fin has been around for ages. We at magma have been using this since 2010. Not really an innovation.
Gunnar

They market and make the point that it is able to use different Standard TT fins for varying yaw control.
I have not seen another KBHF company offer this option or bring the point up, and that is why I think it can be called an innovation.
R H

[gmb13]

Hi,

The topic heading got me curious, but where is the revolution here?

Did I miss something? It looks like a good foil, but there is nothing new here.

--
Gunnar

I doubt any commercial "advertisement " could withstand real scrutiny of promises made.
People actively selling a product tend to take some liberties that could not hold up to a lie detector test.

Perhaps magma has stretched the truth a bit in some of their ads?

As an acknowledged expert in this field, I would be more interested in your technical opinion of the zeeko product, regardless of the claims.
Regards,
Bill

I think Magma has been pretty marketing BS free. We been the first in a few innovations, but have never claimed anything we have not done.

I have not ridden this new Zeeko foil, so cannot really comment on anything. To me it looks like it's conform with everything that I consider works, so it should be OK.

--
Gunnar

[zfennell]

....

I think Magma has been pretty marketing BS free. We been the first in a few innovations, but have never claimed anything we have not done.

I have not ridden this new Zeeko foil, so cannot really comment on anything. To me it looks like it's conform with everything that I consider works, so it should be OK.

--
Gunnar

understood and I tend to agree.
but are you suggesting that " pretty marketing BS free " is equivalent to the unvarnished truth?
sounds like more marketing.

but let me put my point another way.
when I see that Gunner has responded to a hydrofoil topic (or even a foil topic) I tend to read it , expecting value and objectivity.
in this case, I think you have strayed from your strengths.

regards.
-bill

[davesails7]

I don't really see the revolution either, but not really concerned or surprised by a slightly exagerated one liner on the marketing material Actually looks more like the other foils on the market now. I thought the one from last year looked very different from the rest of the foils on the market with a very high aspect ratio and very swept wings:



Seems odd that the "racing" wing is larger than the "beginner/freeride/wave wing" (both in span and area from the looks of the graphic).

I like that there is a jumping wing. Shorter span for less stress in the wing on landing. If you use this wing are you covered under warranty for jumping?

I'm under the impression that most other manufacturers don't warranty damage from jumping. Is this true? Although I don't know how they would ever find out how you broke the foil.

[Peter_Frank]

snip...

Seems odd that the "racing" wing is larger than the "beginner/freeride/wave wing" (both in span and area from the looks of the graphic).

snip...

Hi Dave

Seems to make sense to me, and the trend for the fastest brands now, bigger racewings.

We are talking race, not speed, remember that - two different targets.

For freeride and wave, you dont want too much span (or washout could do it if more span), as it has to be lively, and a cambered profile that wont stall easy.

For race, you want a profile with less camber and thinner - way less drag at a bit lower lift, to obtain max L/D.
AND, for going max vmg both upwind and donwind, you need some lift, thus area.
Even if bigger area it could have less total lift (and be able to ride faster giving more absolute lift) at the same speed, compared to freeride, so makes sense it has to be bigger.
Big span is of course for less (induced) drag, and the turnabiltiy does not matter really when not freeride nor waves.

When you go downwind, you want to go deep, so you want a wing that can lift when you go very deep, and it need high L/D, somewhat the same as on the upwind leg.

Of course they are not as fast on halfwind or a broad reach, as here a smaller wing will of course be superior.
But not the goal in contests.

So makes perfect sense in my eyes

PF