Many thanks to the members and engineers of BoatDesign.Net for help in modifying the hull, etc. on the Surfrunners! There are two: all modifications are roughed and trialed on a 200cm model. When I "get things just right" the 225cm model gets the final modification, adjusted for scale.
The slide show below shows just some of them. There's a lot of glassing and painting done since those were taken last year. I promise to get more up to date pictures for you all of the hull/bottom. You can now lean back to the side, drag your back to keep the kite from overpowering you in a stiff gust, and edge to a 45 degree angle or more. Doing that powered up with a 20.5 meter kite on something this large is a trip and a half. The sense of speed from skimming your body that low near the water is incredible.
If you cut too hard, or catch an off-timed swell or wave on beam that flips you, it' not a fun ride off of the surfrunner as the harness breaks away (designed to at >350lbs. force on the snap shackle) to save you, the surfrunner and the equipment from being dragged under the water (or into the air for that matter). Neither is fun... Better to body drag off the board, whether its from underneath and out or poping up over the top. You get bruised up in both circumstances. Beats the alternatives, though! There's a reel leash system on the runner, so you stop at 50 feet from it. Enough time to depower the kite (sort of...), at least to a safe level, can't flag it out due to the fixed leading edge.
The topside rail supports (leverage to lean and edge), are done. The harness system and kite attachment points have been changed and moved. I'll post more pictures when the weather warms up. And, I am sure more modifications will be made, still...
