Last year, before the parawing, there was some buzz about the foldable, rigid wing. Since the parawing hit the market, I have not seen that same buzz. Was the parawing just that much better than a foldable, rigid wing? Was something fundamentally wrong with a rigid design? In six months, are we going to see a market explosion from a company selling collapsible wings and replacing parawings?
Not sure about collapsable, but I’d like to see (and try) a wing with a rigid leading edge that is small and efficient. For floatation, the boom strut could still be inflatable.
I think for all but the smallest wings even just the leading edge would be size (transport) and weight prohibitive. What about a variation on drop stitch technology to Make a leading edge in a shape that’s not round?
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I ran some math on this and the leading edge diameter is not a terribly sensitive dimension in the lift/drag coefficient of a hand-wing. Notice that the para-wings can’t match inflatable hand-wings. If getting rid of the inflatable leading edge was a big win, then we’d easily be able to capture that advantage with parawings, but so far not yet.
That said, for high end kite racing, the fastest highest pointing kit is a para-style. There may be a way to regain that advantage over inflatable bladder. I am thinking that the need for very short lines means we have to have a curved parawing and fairly low aspect to get the square meters packed into that curve. Maybe we could get that all back with a different boom/handle/bridle system.
I’ve been tossing around ideas instead about a fully rigid wing. Super light carbon and thin skin construction like we see in the top tech foiling catamaran sails. Could go reasonably high aspect, but I think the practical limit will be pumping up onto foil. I’m pretty sure this is only useful for racing, but it could be significantly better than the best dual skin fabric wings and similar weight.
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When those thing flip over and a helmeted winch grinder falls from the high side they blow through that carbon like it’s not even there! One wave and that skin would be shattered!
yup. racing only. Johnny would win by even more over us kooks.
I guess though that since we don’t see rigid wing kites for racing, maybe that’s because of the durability. Or maybe I miss something else about why a para-style is best. I haven’t even see any “red bull speed dudes” showing off a rigid wing (that I know of)
we carry around paddles that a 2m long, why not a two-piece carbon leading edge a bit larger diameter than a paddle. Plenty stiff and light I think. Someone should try it
I sketched this a while back. I honestly would be seriously surprised if someone somewhere hasn’t already tried something like this. If not, and there is someone with the capability and desire to make something like this, I’d love to collaborate. not enough time…
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Keep in mind that this was 4 years ago
Thanks, my general feeling is that a collapsible, rigid wing might be a viable parawing alternative. However, the weight and lack of buoyancy might make it less convenient.
Simon Sanderson in the UK has built a rigid carbon wing for speed runs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsOjfpCt3DW/?igsh=Y2NhY2wza25ybzJq
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yes also interested in the collapsable option and have been sketching some designs
similar thinking re paddle already … so why not an umbrella wing?
these are not collapsable and not for water (floating/cushioned spars etc)
gosh that photo is almost exactly what I envisioned but its two years ago. Surely there is a ride-report somewhere. I assume it didn’t work well or there would be more photos of it in action?
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I’m not sure, I haven’t seen a report on how it flies. He posted about going to Weymouth speed week. He is active on the Facebook board and hydrofoil builders group.
I would guess the dual skins are 99% of the performance with zero of the terrifying drawbacks of it
but not collapsible like an umbrella for DW. Thats my interest in the potential here
I’m guessing this isn’t news to anyone, but for completeness:
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I can’t see a fully rigid wing catching on for recreation or even for racing any time soon.
It will be interesting to see if there is any other major technological leap forward over the current inflatable wing, maybe with a shaped, dropstitched or rigid leading edge, full battens for shape, as others have said.
Windsurf sails have been around a long time, massive weight disadvantage for anything that is reasonably durable.