How to Build a Hydrofoil: Top Of Wing's Fibreglass Lamination (Video 7/15)

An in-depth video series for how to build a hydrofoil from home that actually works. There are several ways to build a hydrofoil, this is simply how I like to do it. - Free Hydrofoil plans here: flukeskitesurfing.com/hydrofo...
- Find Recommended Hydrofoil parts here: flukeskitesurfing.com/store/c...
- New videos posted daily @FlukesKitesurfing
This video:
It's time to fibreglass the top of the foil wings! In this video, we start by preparing the wings for fibreglass and carbon-fibre by first cleaning up and sanding the wings flat for a good surface to lay the fibreglass to. We then add a cut lap of masking tape prior to fibreglass, as this step is best done by removing excess cloth using a razorblade (seen at the end of this video) once ready, it's time to mix up. We use the same epoxy resin system and a combination of 6oz fibreglass cloth and 6oz carbon fibre for strength, including full layers and patches. Once all the pieces are cut out we lay them on the hydrofoil wings and cut the cloth for folding around the leading edge. We then remove the cloth from the wings and set it aside. Once everything is ready, mix up the resin and we are ready to laminate! due to the multiple layers of cloth, I like to complete the fibreglass layup in sections, adding parts at a time until everything is added. We then ensure the cloth is saturated, fold the laps under the leading edge, and remove excess resin. Once you are happy the fibreglass looks good, and have removed the shiny patches of excess resin, let it set until the resin is set, but not too hard. This allows us to cut the cut lap off and remove the additional cloth leaving a perfect leading edge lap line.
Video Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
0:30 - Preparation Sanding
6:00 - Taping Cut Lap
10:10 - Fibreglass Layup Overview
10:45 - Cutting Fibreglass Cloth
11:45 - Fibreglass Layup Detailed
22:13 - Mixing Epoxy Resin
23:10 - Applying Fiberglass and Resin
53:40 - Trim Cut Lap
Materials List:
Can you make your own hydrofoil?
In my opinion, this is one of the best ways to make a hydrofoil from home. By design, the foil construction helps remove critical mistakes that people can make, leaving them with a hydrofoil that won't fly. The free hydrofoil plans are there to help you end up with a hydrofoil that works! So, If you're wondering if you can build a hydrofoil yourself DIY? You can!
How to make a hydrofoil playlist here:
VIDEO LIST:
1. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Planning and Design Principals (Part 1)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
2. How to build a Hydrofoil: Machine and cutting outline (Part 2) • How to build a Hydrofo...
3. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Shaping the foil wings (Part 3)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
4. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Resin Sealer coat (Part 4)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
5. How to build a hydrofoil: Glassing the bottom (Part 5)
• How to build a hydrofo...
6. How to build a Hydrofoil: Holes and edge Resin filling (Part 6)
• How to build a Hydrofo...
7. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Top Fibreglass Lamination (Part 7)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
8. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Resin "Hot Coat" (Part 8)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
9. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Screw Holes & Final Sanding (Part 9)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
10. How to Build a Hydrofoil Fuselage: - Planning & Drilling Holes (Part 10)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
11. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Fuselage - Shaping (Part 11)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
12. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Fuselage - Tapping Holes (Part 12)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
13. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Fuselage - Routing (Part 13)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
14. How to Build a Hydrofoil: Assembly and Final Points. (Part 14)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
15. How to Build a Hydrofoil: The Test - Riding The Foil For The First Time. (Part 15)
• How to Build a Hydrofo...
Website Link: flukeskitesurfing.com/
Shoutout to Ryan parsons for helping test! / ryanparsonsofficial
flukeskitesurfing.com/

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Great video.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Thanks! Hope it helps!

[@tanktop8]

I sanded too much along the rear edge, which makes this step of fiberglassing a little more difficult. I brain farted and could have done all the major reshaping and sanding in the next step. I also didn't mix enough epoxy for both wings! However, since I don' have much experience glassing I was really struggling with the large wing and getting the fiberglass to roll under. I almost wonder for beginners if doing one of the large sheets at a time would be easier/better. Maybe breaking this step into three steps, or at least two might make this easier. Do all the patches in one day, and then maybe the full roll over sheets the next day. I was on the struggle bus with this step today. Definitely going to have some air bubbles and maybe some patching/filling in to do.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Yeah for sure, it takes some practise! As you say, you can laminate with individual layers. It will make the layup easier to fold/manage. The downside i find is of course time, and also weight. Doing the layers individually tends to use a bit more resin, and potentially not as well bonded to one another. That said in this circumstance with the Foil i'm sure it would be fine :)

[@tanktop8]

@@FlukesKitesurfing I hadn't considered the bonding layers. They look alright today, not perfect, but not as bad as I thought they might turn out.