Need advice on how to make my hydrofoils boat fly

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Alexandre.fry, Sep 26, 2025.

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  1. Alexandre.fry
    Joined: Sep 2025
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    Alexandre.fry New Member

    Hi, i am currently working on a prototype/proof of concept of an hydrofoils rc boat, my goal with this prototype is "only" to succed at making it fly. So for my design i went for a main wing an a small stabilizer . It's my first expérience with hydrofoils so i think that i made some big mistakes with the design like with the center of gravity... currently my boat float, moove foulard, backward and can barely turn(an other big mistake because i thought that i would be able to Turn only with the moving fines of the back stabilizer...). My big issues is that I can't manage to make my boat fly on his hydrofoils, when i am at max speed the front of the boat start to take of but the back stay in the water. I need your advice on how could i upgrade it to make it totaly took of the water. My center of gravity is about 10cm behind the main foil, do i need to put it more in front? Do i need to put my stabilizer with à positive or negative incidence during take of phase? Do i Just need to have more portance or more speed?(according to my simulation the portance should be anought but i perhaps miss something)
    Also when it start to take off the boat completly leans on his right side, do you have any explaination for this?
    Don't hesitate if you have any advice
    Thank s in advance for your help!
     

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  2. montero
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    montero Senior Member

    Right side heeling probably caused by propeller.I would swap the stabilizer with the main wing.
     
  3. mc_rash
    Joined: Aug 2020
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    mc_rash Senior Member

    Give this a try: move centre of gravity forward slightly so the angle of attack of the foils changes

    You probably want to post photos or videos of the boat when accelerating

    Is it a self designed built? The propellor flow might interfer with the aft foil so it never gets foiling.
     
  4. Alexandre.fry
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    Alexandre.fry New Member

    I did not thought about that but it's à really good explanation, what do you mean by swaping the stabilizer and the main wing, I should put the stabilizer in front? Do you think i would be able to correct the issue if I put the motot under the main wing, upper or if i put it at the back of the boat ?
     
  5. mc_rash
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    mc_rash Senior Member

    I would not swap stabilizer and main foil, your centre of gravitiy should lie somewhere around the centre of lift of the foils
     
  6. mc_rash
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    mc_rash Senior Member

    put it back on the boat, interference from propellor flow with the flow over the stabilizer foil
     
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  7. DogCavalry
    Joined: Sep 2019
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    DogCavalry Senior Member

    Induced drag on this will be very high. Examine ways to reduce it.
     
  8. Alexandre.fry
    Joined: Sep 2025
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    Alexandre.fry New Member

    Thanks for your answer, Yes it's a self design boat, i will try to move the Center of gravity closer to the main foil and to moove the motor somewhere else.
    What do you mean exactly ? Because of the 2 foils mast? Do you have any advice to lower it?
     
  9. baeckmo
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    baeckmo Hydrodynamics

    I don't see any means of height control; how do you "inform" the foils about their vertical position in relation to the surface, and how to keep the correct operating depth?
     
  10. mc_rash
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    mc_rash Senior Member

    I would suggest to use the throttle for height control in first instance to get the boat foiling. When this works, attempt to use other/better methods like dynamically changing angle of attack
     
  11. baeckmo
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    baeckmo Hydrodynamics

    Won't work, since there is nothing telling the main foil if it is in a correct transverse position nor in a correct longitudinal one. The foils, as built are submerged (as in "not piercing the surface") and lacking a positioning information needed to gain stability.

    With the propulsion on the main foil, the "easy" way would be to make it a surface piercing foil by adding tip foils with an inclination. I suggest reading basic literature on foils; start with "Hydrofoils" by R. Vellinga, ISBN nr 9780982236116, it has a decent list of references as well.
     
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  12. mc_rash
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    mc_rash Senior Member

    Why wouldn't it work? In my opinion, as lift depends on the speed, varying the speed would let one control the height of flight, doesn't it?
     
  13. baeckmo
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    baeckmo Hydrodynamics

    ....and how do you control transverse position then, when there is nothing "telling" the foils to stay horizontal? You have an elevated mass supported from below by two "sticks"; it is an unstable equilibrium, like balancing a vertical broom-stick on your finger. It works for a rider standing on a foiling board provided the riders "control center" and the sensory system is quick enough.
     
  14. Doug Halsey
    Joined: Feb 2007
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    Doug Halsey Senior Member

    Here's a fairly old (but still good) description of the system that Moth class sailboats use to control the ride-height:
    Magic-Wands.pdf
     

  15. Alexandre.fry
    Joined: Sep 2025
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    Alexandre.fry New Member

    Thanks for all your answer!
    Yes your are right, for the moment i don't use any kind of height control, my goal is first to be able to takeoff (even if it's Just a few second). And then i will work on the stabilisation issue (I will probably use 2 or 3 sonar sensor

    For the moment I Just would like to "control" the height with the motor, Just to see if the boat can elevate.

    yes indeed it would be easier to have a surface piercing foil but it's not my goal, i want to experimente with fully submerged foil. I orderd Velinga's book two weeks ago, i am Just waiting for it to arrive
     
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