Flyak
{{Short description|Kayak adapted with hydrofoils}}
The Flyak is a hydrofoil adaptation to the conventional kayak. It uses twin hydrofoils designed to raise the hull out of the water to increase the speed. Speeds of up to 27.2 km/h (7.6 m·s−1, 16.9 mph) can be achieved on calm water.{{cite web|url=http://www.foilkayak.com/faq/theory/#speedpotential|title=How the Foilkayak works|publisher=Foil Kayak AS|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421043804/http://www.foilkayak.com/faq/theory/|archive-date=2007-04-21}}
Design
History
The Flyak was designed by Einar Rasmussen and Peter Ribe in Norway and released in 2005.
{{cite web
| url = http://www.aftenposten.no/english/sports/article1161296.ece
| title = Full speed ahead for revolutionary kayak
| author = Thoresen, Thore-Erik
| date = 2005-11-25
| access-date = 2007-01-05
| work = Aftenposten.no
}} The hydrofoil lift method is well established for motor- and man-powered water craft, but the Flyak is the first to incorporate the design into a commercially marketed kayak. Initial price estimate is US$2500.
Comparisons and records
A 200 m sprint, pitting Olympic athlete Andreas Gjersøe in a Flyak against the four-man Norwegian National Team in a K4 kayak, took place on November 13, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.foilkayak.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=1|title=Norwegian kayak race info|publisher=Foil Kayak AS|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322154414/http://www.foilkayak.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=1|archive-date=2006-03-22}} This race was featured on "Beyond Tomorrow" broadcast on February 8, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.beyondtomorrow.com.au/archive.php|title=Beyond Tomorrow show archive|publisher=Beyond Entertainment Limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717192730/http://www.beyondtomorrow.com.au/archive.php|archive-date=2007-07-17}} It was reported that the Flyak won by a boat length and a half. A K1 sprint specialist in a conventional kayak would expect to be some five seconds slower than a four-man boat over 200 m.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U95UReP4mdo YouTube video of Flyak in motion]
- [http://www.human-powered-hydrofoils.com/ Human-Powered-Hydrofoils.com]
- [http://www.foils.org/gallery/misc.htm The International Hydrofoil Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404000428/http://www.foils.org/gallery/misc.htm |date=2015-04-04 }}
{{Canoeing and kayaking}}