Jet propulsion
No matter if you are completely new to efoiling or already an extreme sports enthusiast you will get addicted to the exhilarating feeling of flying above water. Efoils, unlike jet skis, are quiet and not intrusive, unlike surfing, efoiling is not wholly dependent on the weather.
Five years ago, we set out to create a groundbreaking efoil. The Takuma jet propulsion is the culmination of years of R&D, resulting in an even safer propulsion, making efoiling accessible to everyone.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and first take a closer look at what an efoil and a jet propulsion is.
An electric hydrofoil or efoil works by attaching a powerful electric motor to a mast, wing and propeller system, mounted beneath a high-performance board. The engine is connected to a speed control which in turn is connected to a battery and wirelessly to a remote control.
If you want to learn more about how a hydrofoil works click here.
Origins of the jet propulsion system
The origins of the jet engines go back to the first half of the 20th century right at the beginning of WWII, where it was invented by Hans von Ohain in Germany and a few years later completely on his own by Frank Whittle in the United Kingdom, with the purpose of designing a more powerful and compact engine for an airplane.
Looking at the picture on the right we see that the jet and propeller propulsion on airplanes work in a similar way.
Both propel the aircraft by thrusting a large weight of air backwards.
The jet engines have started a revolution in the aviation industry, given that they are smaller and have an excellent power-to-weight ratio, meaning the amount of power you get out of the engine compared to the weight of the engines itself is very good.
What is the difference between a propeller propulsion and a jet system?
There is one big difference between a jet propulsion and a propeller propulsion on a hydrofoil: the safety.
Both systems work based on a rotating set of blades accelerating the water and moving the craft forward. The water jet uses an impeller, a rotating set of blades inside a tube only big enough for them to spin freely, whereas the propeller operates in open water with exposed blades.
Once you hit your remote acceleration on your propeller propulsion, the blades start to turn rapidly and generate forward thrust, all while rotating exposed underneath the water.
Most of the efoils with a propeller engine come with a nozzle situated around the blades to prevent injuries while out on the water.
However, although protected by the nozzle, from time to time, especially when not used as recommended by the manufacturer, injuries can occur caused by the propeller engine.
The jet propulsion is the perfect solution for this, since all the moving parts are safely contained within a tube.
With thinner and lighter components it eliminates drag and delivers an ultra smooth hydrodynamic performance, all while being completely safe.
What makes the Takuma Jet Efoils special?
Efoiling allows you to spend more time on the water, move faster, access new spots and experience a unique sensation that is described as a blend of floating and flying.
The jet propulsion makes the sport safer, but it’s not just the new propulsion that make the Takuma efoils stand out from the rest. The innovative design of the board and its components make it accessible to everybody.
Especially in the beginning going at high speeds can be intimidating, however with a lot of efoils you need to reach high speeds to be able to take off and fly.
The Takuma Efoils are voluminous, stable and thanks to the unique shape of our foils allow for an early take off at low speeds, making the sport user friendly and fun to practice from the start.
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