I was wondering if torsion control has ever been used on foils, and if it could be an interesting idea. The goal is not really to talk about the feasibility, but just the concept.
What I mean is being able to control separately the angle of incidence (not sure if it’s the correct word) of the front wing and the stabilizer. Think of it as leaning on the front wing while the stab is kept still.
I have felt that in skateboards, a skateboard feels “surfier” when carving a big bowl if the board is not completely rigid and has some torsional flex. I really liked that feeling. In foiling it would require two separate masts, akin to skateboard trucks.
I think likely at some stage. Snowboards, skis, skateboards, surfboards, bicycles all have highly engineered flex patterns in carbon.
I think at this stage it seems unlikely the mast will be the point of flex.
Loading and releasing through carves as the most obvious value of flex, like a surfboard or carve skateboard.
The other use is dampening of rough conditions, like a carbon bicycle front fork
Much more likely that the foil itself will incorporate some give to enable this. Somehow I don’t think the gear is mature enough to find much value in engineered flex