The Flyak is a hydrofoil adaptation to the conventional kayak. It uses twin hydrofoils designed to raise the hull out of the water to increase the speed. Speeds of up to 27.2 km/h (7.6 m·s−1, 16.9 mph) can be achieved on calm water.
Design
The Flyak has two hydrofoil fins below the surface of the water to create lift. At high speeds the entire hull is lifted 15 cm (5.9 in) from the water, reducing the drag and allows greater speeds – reportedly more than twice the speed of a conventional kayak.
History
The Flyak was designed by
Einar Rasmussen and
Peter Ribe in
Norway and released in 2005.
[
] The
hydrofoil lift method is well established for motor- and man-powered water craft, but the Flyak is the first to incorporate the design into a commercially marketed
kayak. Initial price estimate is
USD2500.
Comparisons and records
A 200 m
Racing, pitting
Olympic Games sportsperson Andreas Gjersøe in a Flyak against the four-man
Norway National Team in a K4 kayak, took place on November 13, 2005.
This race was featured on "Beyond Tomorrow" broadcast on February 8, 2006.
It was reported that the Flyak won by a boat length and a half. A K1 sprint specialist in a conventional kayak would expect to be some five seconds slower than a four-man boat over 200 m.
See also
External links
