How robust are these to random floating logs? They’re quite common here in the Salish Sea and have been cited as the reason that the Boeing hydrofoil project never really took off.
Hydrofoils haven't taken off because of the above and, primarily, the high operation, maintenance, and build costs. Historically, these just have not been more economical than their traditional counterparts.
Being that this particular company is not focused on those parts of this and are solely focused on the technology being green, my guess is they are ignoring the operation, maintenance, and build costs and hoping that they can be all hand-wavey about that part--which probably will not pay off for them.
https://www.resinlibrary.com/knowledge/article/can-carbon-fi...
> Since fibre strength significantly exceeds that of the matrix (epoxy), damage usually occurs in the matrix before the fibres for laminate composites. In some instances, this is relatively easy to detect; snapped fibres protruding from the object’s surface. Yet more microscopic damage – something which can spread through the object – is harder to detect even though it can significantly reduce the mechanical properties of the composite.
Edit:
Just asked neighbor. He remembers the Pegasus was rated for 18" logs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Pegasus_(PHM-1)
Also, the intended top speed proved infeasible, because the foils (wings) would cavitate at high speed, reducing lift.
He also worked on Boeing 929 jetfoils.
Additional color to the story was a collision with a whale. Gruesome. Big PR mess too. So now no more hydrofoils on the Salish Sea.
badoom tish
Don't tell us, you're here all week? ;)