Doug Helper’s Hydrofoil built from the May 1960 issue of Popular Science, written by Herbert R. Pfister
06-26-12 – 8:30 PM Sirs: This took me almost a year to build, as I could work on it only a few minutes each day (job, 4 kids, etc.) I went by a plan I got from your website, from the May 1960 issue of Popular Science, written by Herbert R. Pfister. I modified it a bit by using a steering wheel, rather than foot pedal steering. I named it “51” for a couple of ironic reasons… first, when I started it, the plan was 51 years old. Second, The plan was published the month and year I was born- May 1960, 51 years ago at the time. Third, the hull number of my first ship in the US Navy was AO-51 (USS Ashtabula). I tested it here in Kwajalein Lagoon. As you can see from the pictures, it worked perfectly… what a fast ride! It uses an old 15 HP Johnson 2-cycle outbard engine. I created all parts myself, including the throddle. Thanks, and take care. Cordially, |
![]() ![]()
|
|
MK-105 Hydrofoil minesweeping sled. The MK-105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping System, better known as the “sled”, is a high speed catamaran hydrofoil platform which is towed behind the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter. For more information see http://members.aol.com/helmineron/mk-105.htm | ![]() |
|
Hydrofoil Surfboard video Conversion from air chair below. For more information see http://www.videovat.com/videos/2103/hydrofoil-surfboard.aspx |
![]() |
|
Air Chair Hydrofoil waterski. For more information see http://www.airchair.com |
![]() |
|
Trampofoil Hydrofoil Water Bike | ![]() |
|
Orbital & Flying Fish Human Powered Hydrofoils For more information see http://members.aol.com/jfreeent/hf.htm |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
Maritime Flight I This 4-seater hydrofoil was offered to the public by Wynne-Gill of Miami FL about 1970. |
![]() |
|
Two solar powered hydrofoils. I hope to get details soon. One is on lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, Australia. The structure in the background is the parliament house. | ![]() |
![]() |
SCAFO prototype, a new design by Philipp Müller (industrial designer) and Claus Abt (naval architect) built summer 1999 | ![]() (64k) |
|
From a poster advertising the Hamana-Ko Solar and Human Powered Boat Race Festival ’96 in Japan | ![]() |
![]() |
1960’s water-ski accessory More information |
![]() |