Pumpabike vs. Aquaskipper

[Unknown]

Well, it appears that the Aquaskipper is a Chinese knock-off
of the Pumpabike. The Pumpabike creator has obtained a patent
(I don't have the number) and is in pursuit of them.

Anyway, Mike Puzey (2711)-792-4943 south Africa, says:
"The things that make our product different to every other version
of this it we have 2 wing thrust and a mechanical frame which make
power delivery much better. It also floats when you are off the bike
also swimming is easy and it folds 100% into a small portable bag. We
can also use this bike in the sea, there is a clip on the web site of
us in the surf on the bike. "

http://www.pumpabike.com

--Michael Lampi

[Unknown]

Post by Unknown
Well, it appears that the Aquaskipper is a Chinese knock-off
of the Pumpabike. The Pumpabike creator has obtained a patent
(I don't have the number) and is in pursuit of them.
"The things that make our product different to every other version
of this it we have 2 wing thrust and a mechanical frame which make
power delivery much better. It also floats when you are off the bike
also swimming is easy and it folds 100% into a small portable bag. We
can also use this bike in the sea, there is a clip on the web site of
us in the surf on the bike. "
http://www.pumpabike.com
--Michael Lampi

...and Wow! ...What a surprise! the Pumpabike will go 18-20+ mph(8-9
M/s), depending upon what part of their blurb you read.

Who am I to doubt?

B.S.,...the wave of the present. ;-)

Larry

[Unknown]

Post by Unknown
...and Wow! ...What a surprise! the Pumpabike will go 18-20+ mph(8-9
M/s), depending upon what part of their blurb you read.
Who am I to doubt?
B.S.,...the wave of the present. ;-)
Larry

Since we've already got a 20 mph(cough, cough) Pumpabike, ...how to
modify for speed?

Well, we're gonna need faster pumping(thence smaller wing, etc.).

Now gravity is gonna accelerate the pumper only so-fast on the
downstroke, against the wing's resistance. Add to that the
coiled-spring launch-skyward force of the *carefully selected for
fast-twitch muscle fibers* pumper,and we have all the down-pump speed
we're gonna get.

UNLESS, of course, the pumper has power-to-spare, on the launch, and
is only maxed-out speed-wise.

In THAT case, we simply mount a support-bar from the handlebars to a
point above the pumpers head, to which we attach a compression
spring, and a catch-plate, to receive the helmeted head of the pumper
on the upstroke.

The head-compressed spring will add its energy to that of gravity, on
the downstroke, ...and Voila! ...faster downstroke.

Faster downstroke = faster forward motion. Faster forward motion =
greater lift on the un-loaded upstroke. Greater lift means faster
up-stroke.

SO, ...faster up-and-down strokes = faster craft.

Decavitator is dead meat!

Huff boing,...huff, boing, ...huff boing, etc.

The sound(s) of progress. :-)

Larry

[Unknown]

I seems like a short while back we were introduced to these newer products
and I remember seeing a short video somewhere where three different people
rode it a bit. I think one was a smallish kid about 10 or 12 yrs of age etc.

800 or 900 dollars is just too dang much but I am impressed as hell even if they
are not doing an honest 18 mph. My real question is exactly what kind of athelete
do you have to be to sustain operation for how long. If I couldnt make
a loop back to the starting place with the diameter of said loop
being about 50 or 75 yards I guess I am not interested. I doubt if that
would take more than about 45 seconds. It makes no sense
to have to have a boat come rescue or to have to swim back to shore.

If it is reasonably easy then the Pumpabike might find a use in some rental
resorts. The problem is that they will have to rent by the minute wont they.
( assumeing it is strenous as hell )
I am 90 percent sure that with variable size wings that could be
swapped the machine could be converted from hi speed hi effort
to lower speed lower effort. I do know that a heavier person is going to
have to go faster than a lighter person. There seems to be more foreign
website activity with this product than US activity.

Has anyone ever actually seen one of these in action? Where are
they produced ? The link provided was dead or at least I could not
get it to work.
Scott

Post by Unknown

Post by Unknown
Well, it appears that the Aquaskipper is a Chinese knock-off
of the Pumpabike. The Pumpabike creator has obtained a patent
(I don't have the number) and is in pursuit of them.
"The things that make our product different to every other version
of this it we have 2 wing thrust and a mechanical frame which make
power delivery much better. It also floats when you are off the bike
also swimming is easy and it folds 100% into a small portable bag. We
can also use this bike in the sea, there is a clip on the web site of
us in the surf on the bike. "
http://www.pumpabike.com
--Michael Lampi

...and Wow! ...What a surprise! the Pumpabike will go 18-20+ mph(8-9
M/s), depending upon what part of their blurb you read.
Who am I to doubt?
B.S.,...the wave of the present. ;-)
Larry
_______________________________________________
IHPVA Events page: http://www.ihpva.org/calendar/
<><><><><><><>
hpv-boats mailing list
http://www.ihpva.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv-boats

[Unknown]

Post by Unknown
I seems like a short while back we were introduced to these newer products
and I remember seeing a short video somewhere where three different people
rode it a bit. I think one was a smallish kid about 10 or 12 yrs of age etc.
800 or 900 dollars is just too dang much but I am impressed as hell
even if they are not doing an honest 18 mph.

Yes, if by newer products you are looking at the Trampofoil and it's
descendants, then it's been a relatively "short while".

If we begin looking further back,we have seen Parker McReady's
Pogofoil about 20 years back, and I believe Cal Gongwer had some
similar "whale-tail" propulsors going even before that. There may
have been even more less well-known efforts.

I agree the concept and it's successful practical application are
interesting to see, and no doubt to actually try.I even have a wing
that might lend itself nicely to such a project.

My dissatisfaction with the current crop of marketers, and thus my
poking at them, lies in their presumably inflated claims.

I suppose with the current mindset, the seller who claims 30 mph will
outsell the one who "only" claims 20, ...never mind that the actual
speeds might be closer to 13 and 11 mph. I'm surprised that the
buying public seems disinclined to care whether someone is blatantly
lying right in-their-face, and reluctant to call them on it. ( I
assume this from the fact of the continued making of such claims by
the recent marketers).

Maybe PC-ness (the go-along-to-get-along variety) has become
pandemic, ...or maybe it's just a generational-thing. I'm an
increasingly gray guy.

In my book there is not an "honest 18 mph", and a "dishonest 18 mph".

If the claim is made, ...then there is 18 mph,...or there is a
dishonest claimant.

Such should not be rewarded by either quiet acceptance or market success.

When you get older, you may more-frequently allow yourself to say
what you really think. ;-)

Curmudgeon power!

Larry

Larry

[Unknown]

OK Larry, lets get consumer reports to test this baby !!

or Maybe I can call Consumer Reports and offer to do test for em.
All they have to do is persuade the maker to send it to me.

If all else fails, I think it would be a decent vehicle to basically
water ski with behind low powered boats. A Cadence maybe ? ? ?

Scott

Post by Unknown

Post by Unknown
I seems like a short while back we were introduced to these newer products
and I remember seeing a short video somewhere where three different people
rode it a bit. I think one was a smallish kid about 10 or 12 yrs of age etc.
800 or 900 dollars is just too dang much but I am impressed as hell
even if they are not doing an honest 18 mph.

Yes, if by newer products you are looking at the Trampofoil and it's
descendants, then it's been a relatively "short while".
If we begin looking further back,we have seen Parker McReady's
Pogofoil about 20 years back, and I believe Cal Gongwer had some
similar "whale-tail" propulsors going even before that. There may
have been even more less well-known efforts.
I agree the concept and it's successful practical application are
interesting to see, and no doubt to actually try.I even have a wing
that might lend itself nicely to such a project.
My dissatisfaction with the current crop of marketers, and thus my
poking at them, lies in their presumably inflated claims.
I suppose with the current mindset, the seller who claims 30 mph will
outsell the one who "only" claims 20, ...never mind that the actual
speeds might be closer to 13 and 11 mph. I'm surprised that the
buying public seems disinclined to care whether someone is blatantly
lying right in-their-face, and reluctant to call them on it. ( I
assume this from the fact of the continued making of such claims by
the recent marketers).
Maybe PC-ness (the go-along-to-get-along variety) has become
pandemic, ...or maybe it's just a generational-thing. I'm an
increasingly gray guy.
In my book there is not an "honest 18 mph", and a "dishonest 18 mph".
If the claim is made, ...then there is 18 mph,...or there is a
dishonest claimant.
Such should not be rewarded by either quiet acceptance or market success.
When you get older, you may more-frequently allow yourself to say
what you really think. ;-)
Curmudgeon power!
Larry
Larry
_______________________________________________
IHPVA Events page: http://www.ihpva.org/calendar/
<><><><><><><>
hpv-boats mailing list
http://www.ihpva.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv-boats

[Unknown]

...and Wow! ...What a surprise! the Pumpabike will go 18-20+ mph(8-9
M/s), depending upon what part of their blurb you read.

Who am I to doubt?

B.S.,...the wave of the present. ;-)

Larry

Larry,
I downloaded the 3Mb AVI file shown on the "watch video" command on the
page of this link below. The download is very slow.
http://www.gocart-scooterstore.com/pumpabike.html

I looked frame-by-frame and it took 0.6 seconds to do the length from
the front foil to the back. I am estimating the length is 2.4m (8ft) so
it is doing 4m/s or 9mph.

I don't like getting wet and do not have a nice convenient wall or jetty
to jump off on so it is not practical for me. Not to mention the
thought of swimming to shore dragging it after falling off or running
out of puff. But it has my interest so I have done some numbers.

The rider is stroking at 2 strokes per second and is lifting about 6
inches at a time. If his torso weighs 50kg (110lb) he is generating
around 300 watts (0.4hp). This is reasonably strenuous for normal
humans. Have a go at moving your torso up and down 6 inches twice a
second. I noted it had footstraps so the stroke rate is not constrained
by gravity.

The foils have lower wetted surface than a displacement boat so most of
the drag at slow speed is a result of the lift to drag ratio. I
understand 16:1 is good for this. So take the rider's weight plus
pumpabike to total 90kg, the drag is 5.6kgf or 54 Newtons. I estimate
the wetted surface of foils (at 2m wide 0.2m long and two sides plus the
front foil and struts) gives 1sq.m (about half of area of a displacement
boat for the same weight) so viscous surface drag at 4m/s is around 22
Newtons. Total drag at 4m/s is thus 76 newtons giving 304 watts. So the
300 watts looks reasonable considering that there would be a benefit
from the buoyancy of the foils, while the oscillating foils would, at
best, be 90% efficient converting vertical motion to thrust.

At 7m/s (15.8mph) the conditions are- lift induced drag remains 54N
surface viscous drag rises to 62N so total drag is now 116N. Power
required is now 812 watts. At 8m/s (18mph) it rises to 1072W. I have
read that a top athlete can put out betwen 900 - 1000 watts for 10-20
seconds. 16-17mph might be possible over a 100m.

If you want to go faster then you need to reduce the size of the foils
to reduce wetted surface but the minimum speed to keep airborne would
rise. Then how to start??


Rick Willoughby

[Unknown]

Hello Sir:

The Inventist AquaSkipper is not a knock off of the Pump-a-bike.

We have a cordial relationship with the Pump-a-bike folks.

The Inventist AquaSkipper is easier to use due to the foil design and main
spring. There are Chinese counterfeits and we are pursuing those as we hold
patents in the USA, China, Korea and Taiwan. Our estimated top speed is
about 17 mph.

Our website is www.AquaSkipper.com

Seasons Greetings,

Claude E. Rorabaugh
Director of Marketing
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.3/209 - Release Date: 12/21/2005

[Unknown]

Post by Unknown
The Inventist AquaSkipper is not a knock off of the Pump-a-bike.
We have a cordial relationship with the Pump-a-bike folks.
The Inventist AquaSkipper is easier to use due to the foil design and main
spring. There are Chinese counterfeits and we are pursuing those as we hold
patents in the USA, China, Korea and Taiwan. Our estimated top speed is
about 17 mph.

I would be interested in the historical context of the two craft in
relationship to the Swedish Trampofoil. What are the differences between
the Aquaskipper, the Pumpabike, and the Trampofoil?

Happy New 2006 to all on this list!

Theo Schmidt

[Unknown]

http://www.ocean.washington.edu/people/faculty/parker/pogo_foil.htm

Post by Unknown

Post by Unknown
The Inventist AquaSkipper is not a knock off of the Pump-a-bike.
We have a cordial relationship with the Pump-a-bike folks.
The Inventist AquaSkipper is easier to use due to the foil design and main
spring. There are Chinese counterfeits and we are pursuing those as we hold
patents in the USA, China, Korea and Taiwan. Our estimated top speed is
about 17 mph.

I would be interested in the historical context of the two craft in
relationship to the Swedish Trampofoil. What are the differences between
the Aquaskipper, the Pumpabike, and the Trampofoil?
Happy New 2006 to all on this list!
Theo Schmidt
_______________________________________________
IHPVA Events page: http://www.ihpva.org/calendar/
<><><><><><><>
hpv-boats mailing list
mailto:hpv-boats at ihpva.org
http://www.ihpva.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv-boats

[Unknown]

http://www.trampofoil.com/

Post by Unknown

Post by Unknown
The Inventist AquaSkipper is not a knock off of the Pump-a-bike.
We have a cordial relationship with the Pump-a-bike folks.
The Inventist AquaSkipper is easier to use due to the foil design and main
spring. There are Chinese counterfeits and we are pursuing those as we hold
patents in the USA, China, Korea and Taiwan. Our estimated top speed is
about 17 mph.

I would be interested in the historical context of the two craft in
relationship to the Swedish Trampofoil. What are the differences between
the Aquaskipper, the Pumpabike, and the Trampofoil?
Happy New 2006 to all on this list!
Theo Schmidt
_______________________________________________
IHPVA Events page: http://www.ihpva.org/calendar/
<><><><><><><>
hpv-boats mailing list
mailto:hpv-boats at ihpva.org
http://www.ihpva.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv-boats

[Unknown]

I am very fascinated by the Aqua Skipper and here are some candid videos
of a first time users attempts (wet) to ride it.

Click on the 9.6 mb Quicktime movie here - many smiles promised

http://www.grogware.com/aquaskipper.php


I have a source for flawed true airfoil gyrocopter & helicopter blades and if I had
some plans or very close photos showing details I think I could build
a "jump a foil" for just a few bucks.


I get the feeling these things are intensely used for a few times till they
"get old" like exercise machines and then sit forever and gather dust.

Five guys could buy one for a hundred bucks apiece and have a lottery to see
who would be ultimate owner. Each gets it for a month and the lottery winner
is the last guy to get it. hmmm.... how could he be sure to ever get it ? ?

or five guys agree to buy it. 1st guy pays 500, 2nd pays 400, 3rd pays 300 and
so on. Oh well .. forget it.

[Unknown]

It is an excellent video, Scott. It definitely shows the real life
experiences one is likely to have with this water toy.

You might be able to secure lightweight pontoons to the rear and
front to make it float at rest with a pilot on board, though the
vertical movement would be impaired. Otherwise, I don't see this
as ever being even remotely practical for reliably traveling any
serious distance.

It sure would be nice to play with on a hot summer day!

--Michael Lampi

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Perkins
I am very fascinated by the Aqua Skipper and here are some candid videos
of a first time users attempts (wet) to ride it.
Click on the 9.6 mb Quicktime movie here - many smiles promised
http://www.grogware.com/aquaskipper.php
[...]
I get the feeling these things are intensely used for a few times till they
"get old" like exercise machines and then sit forever and gather dust.
[...]

[Unknown]

In one of the linked websites it mentioned the current distance record for
one of these jump foils was 9.7 Kilometers...
Seems like about an hours worth of traveling... I wonder really how strenuous
these things are ? I bet they could be towed by one of our HPV boats
without any problem or work by the jump rider.

Looks like the AquaSkipper is a few hundred bucks cheaper.

Scott

Post by Unknown
It is an excellent video, Scott. It definitely shows the real life
experiences one is likely to have with this water toy.
You might be able to secure lightweight pontoons to the rear and
front to make it float at rest with a pilot on board, though the
vertical movement would be impaired. Otherwise, I don't see this
as ever being even remotely practical for reliably traveling any
serious distance.
It sure would be nice to play with on a hot summer day!
--Michael Lampi

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Perkins
I am very fascinated by the Aqua Skipper and here are some candid videos
of a first time users attempts (wet) to ride it.
Click on the 9.6 mb Quicktime movie here - many smiles promised
http://www.grogware.com/aquaskipper.php
[...]
I get the feeling these things are intensely used for a few times till they
"get old" like exercise machines and then sit forever and gather dust.
[...]

_______________________________________________
IHPVA Events page: http://www.ihpva.org/calendar/
<><><><><><><>
hpv-boats mailing list
mailto:hpv-boats at ihpva.org
http://www.ihpva.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv-boats

[Unknown]

I understand that the record was about 20 or 30 minutes. Remember,
this is the _record_ distance, not even close to an average. It
doesn't even come close to what a typical person could do even
after days of practice.

As far as towing goes, I doubt it would be any easier than towing
a water skier. From what I've heard *that* is pretty tough to do
for someone in the adult range category being towed!

--Michael

From: Scott Perkins
In one of the linked websites it mentioned the current distance record for
one of these jump foils was 9.7 Kilometers...
Seems like about an hours worth of traveling... I wonder really how strenuous
these things are ? I bet they could be towed by one of our HPV boats
without any problem or work by the jump rider.
Looks like the AquaSkipper is a few hundred bucks cheaper.
Scott

Post by Unknown
It is an excellent video, Scott. It definitely shows the real life
experiences one is likely to have with this water toy.
You might be able to secure lightweight pontoons to the rear and
front to make it float at rest with a pilot on board, though the
vertical movement would be impaired. Otherwise, I don't see this
as ever being even remotely practical for reliably traveling any
serious distance.
It sure would be nice to play with on a hot summer day!
--Michael Lampi

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Perkins
I am very fascinated by the Aqua Skipper and here are

some candid videos

Post by Unknown

of a first time users attempts (wet) to ride it.
Click on the 9.6 mb Quicktime movie here - many smiles promised
http://www.grogware.com/aquaskipper.php
[...]
I get the feeling these things are intensely used for a

few times till they

Post by Unknown

"get old" like exercise machines and then sit forever

and gather dust.

Post by Unknown

[...]

[Unknown]

Another copy of this will be coming through - It got snagged for being sent
initially as a Blind Carbon Copy, and then my ISP went down. Darn buyouts.

Happy New Year,
Bob Stuart

----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Perkins <2scott at bellsouth.net>
To: Human Powered Vehicles -- Boats <hpv-boats at ihpva.org>
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 1:55 PM
Subject: [hpv-boats] wet attempts to ride Trampofoil, Pumpabike, Aquaskipper

Post by Unknown
I am very fascinated by the Aqua Skipper and here are some candid videos
of a first time users attempts (wet) to ride it.
Click on the 9.6 mb Quicktime movie here - many smiles promised
http://www.grogware.com/aquaskipper.php
I have a source for flawed true airfoil gyrocopter & helicopter blades and if I had
some plans or very close photos showing details I think I could build
a "jump a foil" for just a few bucks.
I get the feeling these things are intensely used for a few times till they
"get old" like exercise machines and then sit forever and gather dust.
Five guys could buy one for a hundred bucks apiece and have a lottery to see
who would be ultimate owner. Each gets it for a month and the lottery winner
is the last guy to get it. hmmm.... how could he be sure to ever get it ? ?
or five guys agree to buy it. 1st guy pays 500, 2nd pays 400, 3rd pays 300 and
so on. Oh well .. forget it.
_______________________________________________
IHPVA Events page: http://www.ihpva.org/calendar/
<><><><><><><>
hpv-boats mailing list
mailto:hpv-boats at ihpva.org
http://www.ihpva.org/mailman/listinfo/hpv-boats
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.14.9/216 - Release Date: 12/29/05

[Unknown]

I am very fascinated by the Aqua Skipper and here are some candid videos
of a first time users attempts (wet) to ride it.

Click on the 9.6 mb Quicktime movie here - many smiles promised

http://www.grogware.com/aquaskipper.php


I have a source for flawed true airfoil gyrocopter & helicopter blades and if I had
some plans or very close photos showing details I think I could build
a "jump a foil" for just a few bucks.


I get the feeling these things are intensely used for a few times till they
"get old" like exercise machines and then sit forever and gather dust.

Five guys could buy one for a hundred bucks apiece and have a lottery to see
who would be ultimate owner. Each gets it for a month and the lottery winner
is the last guy to get it. hmmm.... how could he be sure to ever get it ? ?

or five guys agree to buy it. 1st guy pays 500, 2nd pays 400, 3rd pays 300 and
so on. Oh well .. forget it.

Post by Unknown
http://www.trampofoil.com/

Pogofoil history here...
http://www.ocean.washington.edu/people/faculty/parker/pogo_foil.htm

Post by Unknown

Post by Unknown

Post by Unknown
The Inventist AquaSkipper is not a knock off of the Pump-a-bike.
We have a cordial relationship with the Pump-a-bike folks.
The Inventist AquaSkipper is easier to use due to the foil design and main
spring. There are Chinese counterfeits and we are pursuing those as we hold
patents in the USA, China, Korea and Taiwan. Our estimated top speed is
about 17 mph.

I would be interested in the historical context of the two craft in
relationship to the Swedish Trampofoil. What are the differences between
the Aquaskipper, the Pumpabike, and the Trampofoil?

[Unknown]

Hi Scott,

Your video brought back memories of my first, second, third and fourth attempts at windsurfing. Thanks.

Bruce Plazyk