Twin foil modification from Starboard Race Q & A – “mareks360 dragonfly platypus”

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mareks360
mareks360
126 posts
126 posts
13 Jul 2026 12:15am






3 years ago I did an elaborate deep dive post:
“Ultralight wind (~5mph or ~4kt) windfoiling BAF for older "Heavy Dudes" 90kg+ and no pumping”
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling/Ultralight-wind--5mph-or--4kt--windfoiling-BAF-for-older--Heavy-Dudes--90kg--and-no-pumping?page=1

Now people ask me directly about my new “mareks360 dragonfly” config therefore It is better to share the Concept, Design and its actual Performance in my “platypus” configuration.
Why “platypus” ? You got to read the old post above.
Lets get back to where we left 3 years ago Graph:





Basic conclusion is that the bigger the foil, the earlier take off, BUT the narrowest range where the foil outperforms all the other.
Therefore we have to find different solution to reduce overall drag in wider range.
Science of Aerial drones come to help and rather than explaining complex equations, dominant vs contributing vs none-dominant factors: “picture tells the 1000 words”:





Source: “ Improvement of Micro UAV Performance using Tandem-Wing Design “
Figure7 The comparison of Drag force between the two models

Lets examine now new graph and conclusions:
1) Despite my mareks360 dragonfly config (SB M1000+800) at 1800cm2 comparable to Slingshot Quantum 100 at 1724cm2, the efficiency of twin config reduces the drag (both induced and parasitic) to the extent of faster slogging, earlier take off and faster fly when wind increases.
2) If someone guarantees me wind speed between 4-5mph, I would be the fastest on SS i99 + i84 biplane (see other post for details)
3) If someone guarantees me wind speed between 5-6mph, I would be the fastest on SS i84+i76 (my past tested config)
4) If someone guarantees me wind speed between 6-7mph, I would be the fastest on SS i99
5) If someone guarantees me wind speed between 7-11mph, I would be the fastest on SB mod mareks 360 dragonfly
6) If someone guarantees me wind above 11mph, I would be the fastest on the original SB Millenium 1000 – please note this is only up to 20 MPH wind analysis





Recommended by me Resources for your personal “deep dive and study”:
1. “ Improvement of Micro UAV Performance using Tandem-Wing Design “
2. “Twin-Wing Design Options Used for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Achieve High Altitudes at Low Speeds”
3. “Hydrofoil Design, Build Fly” by Ray Vellinga – Outstanding book to understand how hydrofoil works !
4. “What wing spacing is best for a tandem wing configuration?”
5. “Exploring the Different Wing Configurations Used in Airplanes”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here is Q & A:
From people asking directly:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please note that I am using 115++ in this case. There is more space between the wing and the mast to add 2nd foil.
I also have 115+ unmodified I use with SB Race 100 board single M1000 wing.

Questions:

Q: - What distance is the second wing from the first? How far back
A: Now we have to distinguish distance between the wings (which is still variable) vs distance from end of front saddle to beginning of second saddle.
Keep in mind that Starboard made wings that are not centric to the saddle therefore it will be different distance between wings (for interference sake) if I swap 800 to the front and M1000 to the back or if I use other wings I have e.g. FR1100 or 500
Distance between end of front saddle and beginning of second saddle is 71mm while distance from Trailing edge of M1000 to front edge of 800 is 127mm.

Q: - What stabilizer goes best w/dual wings?
A: Before adding second wing, I foiled this setup for 1000s of miles in M1000/115++/255(-2ver) +0.5 shim with Starboard Go 180 board. You can see my older post for pictures that I references from 3 years ago.
So I added just 800 wing and the setup is still balanced therefore I did not feel to change anything.

Q: - Any structural reinforcements when the second wing is installed?
A: Nothing, There is no need. SB 115 fuselages are solid alumunum

Q: - How did you machine the profile?
A: This was a “labor of love” with simple tools with “measure twice cut once” approach.
First I drilled the fuse horizontally with many holes. Fuse in a vise, hand drill [Upd: I meant electrical handheld drill]. Used reciprocal saw [Upd: I meant electrical] to cut out the aluminum out. Then used hand files to get to profile marked with permanent marker on the sides. Then I drilled the smaller holes and used threading tool.
allesad
allesad
73 posts
73 posts
13 Jul 2026 1:09am
Fantastic 😊 ,just what i needed.
Hydrosurf
Hydrosurf
285 posts
285 posts
13 Jul 2026 2:00am
Very nice design
FormuIa
FormuIa
110 posts
110 posts
14 Jul 2026 4:05am
Nice write-up, and I'd love to try it at 6 knots - conditions where I can't pump.

My question is, what's with the seemingly low speeds on SB 1000 config? In measured ~8 knots of perfectly steady thermal wind, with close to zero chop, I can easily fly 20+ knots (23 mph) with 9+ m foil sail. Freshwater speed would probably be even higher.
mareks360
mareks360
126 posts
126 posts
14 Jul 2026 6:25pm
FormuIa said..
Nice write-up, and I'd love to try it at 6 knots - conditions where I can't pump.

My question is, what's with the seemingly low speeds on SB 1000 config? In measured ~8 knots of perfectly steady thermal wind, with close to zero chop, I can easily fly 20+ knots (23 mph) with 9+ m foil sail. Freshwater speed would probably be even higher.


Formula,
There are probably at least 3 aspects that differ:
1) Total weight: sailor + gear (wetsuit, backpack, etc.) + rig + board with hydrofoil. My case measured with a floor scale: me 198LB in shorts, me in wetsuit +backpack + harness+2L water pack, foldable paddles etc.: 218LB, Rig: 32LB, Board with hydrofoil: 47LB, therefore total is: 297LB = 135kg
2) Using relevant sensor at relevant height that represent windfoiler actual wind. I am using Tempest sensors that are on docks out on the water, at windfoiler /sailor height. Please note that wind increases with height and there are graphs /calculators to scale it down (if sensor too high above)
3) Wind definition: either "gust" or "average" will let you start flying (pumping or not) but it is the "lull" that defines sustainable flight after taking off (no pumping).
I will post about it shortly.
mareks360
mareks360
126 posts
126 posts
14 Jul 2026 8:11pm
Yesterday Session 7/13/26 (July 13th) on “dragonfly (SB M1000 +800) platypus” is a perfect example of what I stated earlier:
“5) If someone guarantees me wind speed between 7-11mph, I would be the fastest on SB mod mareks360 dragonfly”

Let’s examine some details:

Forecast:







Actual Wind for 7h 11min complete session duration: total 48.7 miles:
In red is a specific (best period) part for analysis 1h 40 min, 15 miles (for deeper dive):





Table of parts saved individually:









Best Wind Best Part (Board GPS Speed):












Conclusion:
With “dragonfly (SB M1000+800) platypus”, there is no way to sustain flight if “Lull” drops below 4mph (3.5kt) at total weight of 297LB = 135kg (more details shared in response to “Formula” User above).
Some flights in gusts possible as you can see from sub session average GPS board speed (and max speed).
When the “Lull” is at 4mph (3.5kt) and above, you can sustain continuous flights.

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