BEACH-CAT
HYDROFOIL KITS
The lowest price way to get in on the great fun of flying
on hydrofoils is to build one of our foil kits, and install the foils on
your daysailing catamaran.
You don't even need the latest beach cat. In fact the older narrow-beam beach cats actually need hydrofoils to get the most out of the boat. Those low-buoyancy, banana-shaped hulls, such as on the early Hobie Cats, are just perfect for hydrofoils. It doesn't matter if the boat lacks a centerboard, because the hydrofoils will provide all the anti-leeway force required. The main lifting foils are set out wide of the hulls, giving the boat nearly twice the righting arm. You'll be able to sail more relaxed and at higher speeds. You will no longer need to worry about capsizing or lee-bow burying, because the foils will prevent that from happening. You will not need to use the trapeze wires as often.
Above, we show the foil configuration used on beachcats. The foils can be retracted for light-air sailing, beaching, shallow water, etc. Port and starboard are symmetrical. The bow spreader (optional) helps keep the jib flat in high speed sailing, allowing slightly greater speed and reduced hull stresses.
DAK Hydrofoils pioneered hydrofoil kits for beachcats back in the 1970's. We've taken all we learned back then, and applied it to make our current kits far easier to build, and to make the foils more durable. Back then, we used 2"-chord hydrofoils, but now we use 3 inchers. These high lift-to-drag foils will allow carrying more people aboard, and higher top speeds. There is now greater wave clearance for reduced spray.
