Combining WIG boats with downforce

[Franklin]

In 1966 Ron Jones designed a jet hydroplane for Craig Breedlove which was to use an aerodynamic concept developed by Boeing engineer Joe Riesback. In Riesback's concept, the stub wings connecting the sponsons to the hull were shaped to produce downforce. Riesback believed the boat would reach a condition where with the sponsons about 12 inches off the water the downforce would be exactly counterbalanced from the lift produced by the air trap formed by the wings and sponsons, thus achieving a stable ride height. Sponsorship was not forthcoming so the idea was never tested in practice.

[chase687]

It sounds like an interesting idea.

From my understanding of ground effect, it is not necessary to use down force to make a stable vehicle. This to me sounds wasteful. There would be the added induced drag from the wings creating the down force as well as the added parasite drag from just being on the craft, and if going fast is the goal, the added weight of these wings would be a hindrance.

Does anyone see something positive in this design idea?

[Franklin]

Originally Posted by chase687

It sounds like an interesting idea.

From my understanding of ground effect, it is not necessary to use down force to make a stable vehicle. This to me sounds wasteful. There would be the added induced drag from the wings creating the down force as well as the added parasite drag from just being on the craft, and if going fast is the goal, the added weight of these wings would be a hindrance.

Does anyone see something positive in this design idea?

However they're shaped, you need SOMETHING to connect the sponsons to the hull. Wings aren't any heavier than just simple spars.

http://www.missmadison.com/photos/St...oming%20In.jpg

In today's Unlimited hydroplanes, a moving driver-controlled wing is used to counteract blowovers.

[Franklin]

http://www.americanjetcars.com/arfons/craig/carf4.htm

http://www.americanjetcars.com/arfons/craig/carf5.htm

This boat crashed as a result of what may have been hydrodynamically induced chinewalking.

If this is the case, not having the sponsons in contact with the surface once the boat gets on plane could be a solution.