High-Speed Sailing

Vessel Name: Sailien
Vessel Make/Model: Experimental/custom
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28 September 2013

The America’s Cup

I watched, with interest, the videos of the 34th America’s Cup. At last we have fast sailboats engaged in a competition that is fun to watch. The virtual images (such as course boundaries, distance grid lines, separation between boats, etc.) overlaid on the real images really helps to keep the race [...]

31 August 2013

100 Knots for Hydroptere?

The latest news from Hydroptere is that they have plans for a 100 knot sailboat. This was posted on 26 Aug 2013, so look for that date at this address. http://hydroptere.com/en/the-news/last-news/

17 November 2012

Aptly named Sailrocket, blasts off!

While yet to be ratified, Sailrocket posted an average speed over 500 meters of 59 knots. I will not be surprised if they increase their record into the 60 knot range during this record attempt.

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02 January 2012

More drag for VSR2?

I want to start by pointing out that the whole VSR2 team has done a stellar job and has demonstrated conclusively that the forces that drive a sailboat can be aligned for roll stability without using ballast and without using any down-force. (Trifoiler achieved roll stability by using down-force, but [...]

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18 December 2011

My analysis of Sailrocket

I copied a diagram of VSR2 (wing doesn’t show well) and added in the major force arrows that apply. Be aware that these arrows are not correct in terms of scale (length) and some of their locations are guesses, however I believe I’m correct enough for us to learn something about what VSR2 has been [...]

23 October 2011

60 is within reach, what’s next?

I have been watching Sailrocket’s progress with great interest and there’s no question they have a winner. I fully expect to see them reach 60kt in the near future. Sailrocket has now demonstrated what I first learned with my models and again with my full-sized prototypes, that if you get the forces [...]

Who will be first to 50 knots?

01 May 2008
50 knots, who will be first? There is no question 50 will be broken, it's just a matter of when and by whom. I'd say the odds (slightly) favor the windsurfers and kite surfers (equally) based on consistency, numbers and that they can run under high-wind conditions. I also said they could be easily beaten, with the right tech.

Macquarie Innovation and Hydroptere have a good a chance, but they're outnumbered. Sailrocket will have to get better control, although they're making progress. When they get good control, they'll have as good a chance as the others.

Here's a bit more on brute force. In sailing fast we have to overcome drag. There is the drag of moving through the water and the drag of moving through the air. We actually wouldn't have to be concerned about air drag. All you need is a surplus parachute and a pair of water-skis, get a windy day (about 70knots!) and go for it. You could do 50knots and be feeling a 20knot wind on your backside. You see how the competition could degenerate into a contest of who can find the most wind and survive it.

My main interest is a practical sailboat, so when you're not setting the speed record, you can take a friend and sail someplace. Longshot (Trifoiler) and Hydroptere are the best in this respect.

Bob
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