Glide Free Design
How foils work
Foils deflect the water downards as the boat moves forward – the upper surface also sucks the water down, both effects create lift, sufficient to lift the entire boat clear of the water. Compared with a displacement and planing surfaces, there is much less drag due to the greatly reduced surface area and elimination of wave making resistance – the boat can then easily go twice as fast as when pushing water with the hull!
Technical information
How foils work
Foils deflect the water downards as the boat moves forward – the upper surface also sucks the water down, both effects create lift, sufficient to lift the entire boat clear of the water. Compared with a displacement and planing surfaces, there is much less drag due to the greatly reduced surface area and elimination of wave making resistance – the boat can then easily go twice as fast as when pushing water with the hull!
Technical information
Technical articles
Product description
Foil Setup
Operating Instructions
Sailing Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Features, Benefits and Advantages
Coaching support
Technical articles
Product description
Foil Setup
Operating Instructions
Sailing Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Features, Benefits and Advantages
Coaching support
Technical articles
Product description
Foil Setup
Operating Instructions
Sailing Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Features, Benefits and Advantages
Coaching support
Technical articles
Product description
Foil Setup
Operating Instructions
Sailing Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Features, Benefits and Advantages
Coaching support
Distributors
Glide Free Design has worked solidly to develop and engineer our own unique foiling system for retrofitting to a wide range of sailing dinghies including the Laser, RS Aero, O'pen Bic, and Melges 14. Our foils are manufactured entirely in Australia under our own strict control, from locally produced components and materials. Our high quality foils are distributed globally, direct from our factory in Sydney.
We believe that learning to use our Glide Free Foils on dinghies requires perseverance, akin to learning to sailboard, and as such requires local promotion, support and training to produce the best results for our customers. For this reason we have appointed local distributors who stock, sell, service and support our product. We recommend that you purchase from our distributors in your local area, where you can get the local support you require.
Please refer to our approved distributor and dealer list below, with links to their website, where you can order our product for local delivery. Enquiries: Contact us!
Distributors
Glide Free Design has worked solidly to develop and engineer our own unique foiling system for retrofitting to a wide range of sailing dinghies including the Laser, RS Aero, O'pen Bic, and Melges 14. Our foils are manufactured entirely in Australia under our own strict control, from locally produced components and materials. Our high quality foils are distributed globally, direct from our factory in Sydney.
We believe that learning to use our Glide Free Foils on dinghies requires perseverance, akin to learning to sailboard, and as such requires local promotion, support and training to produce the best results for our customers. For this reason we have appointed local distributors who stock, sell, service and support our product. We recommend that you purchase from our distributors in your local area, where you can get the local support you require.
Please refer to our approved distributor and dealer list below, with links to their website, where you can order our product for local delivery. Enquiries: Contact us!
Glide Free Design has worked solidly to develop and engineer our own unique foiling system for retrofitting to a wide range of sailing dinghies including the Laser, RS Aero, O'pen Bic, and Melges 14. Our foils are manufactured entirely in Australia under our own strict control, from locally produced components and materials. Our high quality foils are distributed globally, direct from our factory in Sydney.
We believe that learning to use our Glide Free Foils on dinghies requires perseverance, akin to learning to sailboard, and as such requires local promotion, support and training to produce the best results for our customers. For this reason we have appointed local distributors who stock, sell, service and support our product. We recommend that you purchase from our distributors in your local area, where you can get the local support you require.
Please refer to our approved distributor and dealer list below, with links to their website, where you can order our product for local delivery. Enquiries: Contact us!
Distributors
Glide Free Design has worked solidly to develop and engineer our own unique foiling system for retrofitting to a wide range of sailing dinghies including the Laser, RS Aero, O'pen Bic, and Melges 14. Our foils are manufactured entirely in Australia under our own strict control, from locally produced components and materials. Our high quality foils are distributed globally, direct from our factory in Sydney.
We believe that learning to use our Glide Free Foils on dinghies requires perseverance, akin to learning to sailboard, and as such requires local promotion, support and training to produce the best results for our customers. For this reason we have appointed local distributors who stock, sell, service and support our product. We recommend that you purchase from our distributors in your local area, where you can get the local support you require.
Please refer to our approved distributor and dealer list below, with links to their website, where you can order our product for local delivery. Enquiries: Contact us!
Distributors
About us
Glide Free Foils
O'pen Bic on foils
The O'pen Bic dinghy is suitable for younger skippers and is now possible to foil with a Glide Free Kit.
It takes off in 10-12kts of wind and can be sailed in both displacement and foiling modes.
Suitable for skilled young sailors looking for that extra thrill!
You can disengage the foils for towing or sailing home in light or heavy conditions.
Making foiling available to children
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Now your children can experience the thrill of foiling on their own dinghy!!
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No need to invest in an expensive new boat, these foils retrofit to your existing Bic dinghy, just clip on and go!
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Fully integrated sensor wand, no special attachments, cables or modifications to your existing boat
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Fully retractable foils - launch & retrieve in knee deep water
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Lifts out and glides free of the water in 10-12kts of wind
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Robust one-design construction, suited to all ages, weights and skill levels.
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More stable than a standard Bic dinghy
The kit contains:
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Glide Free Foils - includes: Centrecase insert & retaining hook, gear block & toggle pin, Centreboard with integral wand, Main lifting foil, Rudder, Rudder lifting foil.
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Carry bags - includes a set of three high quality padded carry bags for Centreboard foils, Rudder foils and Centrecase Insert.
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Rudder stock - high strength rudder stock fits the standard Laser fittings, essential for foiling - includes, thrust washer, height adjusting washers, locking pin, retaining clip and quick tighten wing nut.
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Tiller - fits the high strength rudder stock and allows the blade to fully retract. Includes cleat and standard tiller extension fitting.
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Rudder gantry for the stern, extending the length of the boat.
Where to buy
Support
Test sail and Training centres
A key part of learning to foil is good instruction right from the beginning.
We recommend the RYA Foiling Courses conduced at RYA centres.
You can also visit the Andrew Simpson Foundation coaching centres such as Lake Garda where you can test sail a foiling Laser, Aero. Melges 14 or Bic today, all using our Glide Free Foiling kits.
