Does the hydrofoil require a minimum wind speed or boat speed?
The foil can be used in any wind conditions. However, it is not needed in winds of less than about six to eight knots. In such light wind conditions, the weight of the ama is sufficient to keep the boat stable on the starboard tack, and on the port tack the floatation of the ama keeps the boat on an even keel. In very light conditions it is best to sail with the foil in its stowed position because the added drag caused by the foil offsets the reduction in drag resulting from the foil’s ability to lift the ama slightly and reduce its wetted surface. In light conditions, the foil is swung aft and upward out of the water and into its stowed position by pulling on the foil retraction lanyard. The foil does require that the boat be moving forward through the water in order to provide stability by counteracting the heeling moment created by wind in the sail. However, the foil becomes effective at a boat speed of only two knots.
