A-Class Tech. DNA F1 2016: T Rudders Retrofit
Having such a weapon as the DNA F1 its a big deal for her owners like many of my friends here. I labeled the Coolest Boat ever made, and surely it deserved it on the looks, innovation later confirmed by Mischa winning the 2016 World Title with it.
Fitted with most revolutionary foil to date in the A-Class : The DNA Z Foil and L rudders, the F1 was the pinnacle of development and performance by the time. Now a days it continues to be a competitive boat, but with T rudders already being adopted by DNA too it is a proven fact they provide a more stable ride. L rudders can be faster but in waves/chop you have better control with T rudders.
Before doing this retrofit, I consulted PJ if new DNA F1x new castings / DNA T rudders could be fitted in a 2016 F1, he told there were plans for it. But my friend wanted to equip it asap.
Thus I got a set of D3 T Rudders for him, this was last year. We analyzed several options for the retrofit but he reached the conclusion best way was to modify original DNA F1 castings to fit the new blade. Not an easy work as you need to build up internally to adapt D3 rudder accordingly.
It took some time, but some weeks ago he installed and went out to test them. Newly found stability in waves/chop was there, the original DNA Z Foils are still in my view uptodate and competitive, more with with T rudders combo.
Last weekend a rookie got onboard the F1, we’ve seen instant foiling on it on tis original configuration, but the difference this time how stable his first flight was.
The new DNA F1x its a super proven factor delivery by now, Mischa dominated 2019 UK Worlds and had a great performance in Australia 2018.
But for those owning the original DNA F1 platform an T rudder upgrade can be a good thing to do. Not easy work to do (modifying orig castings plus tiller arms / crossbar for proper alignment), and we recommend to check alternatives as the F1 casting differs from D3 one in height, and it is a full custom update, not provided or recommend by neither DNA or Exploder. But its worth in the end as noted above. Also now, newer D3 or F1 winglets can be fitted for even better performance.
Video shows the actual ride. First time out, not even sailed cats. The guy is just trying to level the platform, wide stance you see, first time rookie, then he managed to stabilize it, voilá… perfect steady flight. In fact he didn’t acknowledge airborne time till we showed him the video.
Note: People telling us is not legal modification on winglets outside 230m width, we know, but owners here cannot afford such a platform to be used as “Classic/Floater mode” as someone one recommended! With concept proven later owner can review to comply for legal racing.
