Heli blade foil

[redboat219]

I want to build my own hydrofoil. Can you use model helicopter blades in making the foils?

[AndyKunz]

You want thinner blades. You can easily lift a 2 pound hydroplane (N2 Hydro) off the water (making it a hydrofoil) with fins .060 thick x 2" x 1". It is really cool to watch how they accelerate once the sponsons come off the water, but turning is another matter...

Andy

[Shaun Hendricks]

Heli blades from an aerobatic helicopter would work great for struts as they symmetrical airfoils.

You also don't need to use a water foil either. A straight piece of metal at the correct angle of attack would work. A slight foil is a bit more efficient, but at model scale size, it's almost negligable. Thin and strong will work just fine.

The struts need to be sturdy as well. Go to http://www.foils.org/