Garage Works - 1/14/2024

 After dropping off Noe for music practice and a sleepover, and running a bunch of errands, I got to get some work done in the garage.

First up was laminating the bottom deck of No.34

I used 21 ounces of aluzine epoxy and it was perfect.  The temperature was also warm enough to have the epoxy harden in normal time parameters.

The bottom deck came out really nice.  I'll get more carbon fiber tomorrow and laminate the top deck.  I'm actually excited to get this one under trials. 

I also pressure tested the North Mode Pro 5.5.

And I got the harness line setup.

 

The winds coming on Tuesday are going to be pretty strong.  This wing could probably handle it, but I'll likely take out the Reedin SW2s (4.2m most likely).

Pressure Testing the Takuma RS 6.1

Got paid for a custom board and immediately turned the funds around for this!!!  My new 6m wing - the Takuma RS.  The WPB winging crew was around so while I was pressure testing the bladders, they were there checking out the design features of this wing - the tafetta Xply trailing edge, the wing tip battens, the carbon handles, independent bladders, large leading edge and how the wing held wind.

Sized up to the Alien Wing 5.0

I told Roland I have a helmet so now I'm ready to start learning to jump.

I have a feeling this is going to be a really good wing.

Tweaking New Gear

I spent yesterday afternoon working on stuff that has piled up on me and also tweaking some new stuff.  I helped Marlon fix a ding in one of his boards.  Then I sealed up the trailing edge of the HS1532CS (that I sold - the customer wanted it sealed up a bit more).  Then I got to the good stuff.

Having sold the Ensis 6.0 and 5.2, I had been looking for a replacement wing.  It needed to be powerful, not have any windows, be lighter, have handles and have the range of both of the Ensis.  That is a lot to ask of one wing - but here it is - the Ocean Rodeo Glide 5.0 in A (full Aluula) Series.

This is actually the second one - the first came in earlier this week, but when I ran it through the pressure test, the boom would not hold air.  For as much as this thing cost, I went ahead and asked for an exchange - I got that yesterday.  This one held pressure (and it is still inflated in the living room).

I am really excited to put this wing to the test.  I know it will not have the get up and go grunt that the Ensis does, but what is a few more pumps to gain a wider range, almost no weight, and an ultra stiff frame that translates much more power (instead of losing it to flex and deformation).

With this wing, I have the goal of only having three wings - 5.0, 4.2 and a 3.6.  Those ranges (hopefully) will go from 12-25, 18-30, 25-??? respectively.

Now we just need the trades to come back (still a week away).

I also shimmed up the Takuma Kujira 75cm aluminum mast.  I got this mast from Jeff along with the Kujira 1210 so I can prone foil the Kujiras (as I'm still waiting for the Project Cedrus 2021 Takuma adapter). 

Shimming the Takuma is pretty important.  If you don't the load is only on the bolts and any vibrations the rig endures will start to loosen the bolts.  For all the complaints I see on the web, I would say nearly all of them are a direct result of not shimming the parts that get joined together (fuselage where the front foil meets; fuselage where the mast slips in).

I can't wait to try this foil out!!!

Pressure Testing a Couple of New Wings

Based on the demo wing I used on Wednesday, I decided to pick up a couple of new wings yesterday - these are Ensis Wings.  I got the 6M and the 5.2M.

Here is the 6.0

And here is the 5.2M

The wing span is nearly the same on these two wings - the extra size on the 6.0 comes in the chord length.

0.8M doesn't seem like a lot, but the difference in wind strength required to get up on foil is pretty substantial.  They both survived the initial bladder twist and pressure holding test.  Anyone interested in a slightly used 6.0M Echo Duotone?