High-Speed Sailing

Vessel Name: Sailien
Vessel Make/Model: Experimental/custom
Recent Blog Posts
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.

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 [...]

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 [...]

Aiming for 60

05 January 2009
I'm glad to see that Macquarie Innovation has been sailing, although it would have been more fun if they had told us by updating their website. I hope they are still at it (come on guys post the action so we can follow it). Are there any "spies" in OZ that could keep us posted?

I would like to see Innovation set a new outright record - they just need the right wind. Next Hydroptere could aim to break that mark. Both craft are capable of sailing in the low to possibly mid 50's with the right conditions. Sailrocket would then get a shot at some real numbers! It looks to me like Sailrocket should be able to run in the mid to high 50's providing they can keep it aimed in the right direction.

I believe that Hydroptere's last run makes it clear that exceeding 60 knots is not a problem in terms of power. The only problem is control (stability) and once again let me point out that weight based stability is obsolete; which is why I want to see Innovation and Hydroptere set new records before Sailrocket, Paravane (if they get a chance to pursue it) or Greenbird put it out of reach. I imagine Richard (Greenbird) is sharpening his rain/snow-making skills while he waits for the record to get raised to some interesting numbers and become a proper challenge.

Bob
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