High-Speed Sailing

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 [...]

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/

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 [...]

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 [...]

Sailrocket, DrGoulu, Greenbird

14 March 2009

Apparently Sailrocket had a structural failure and crashed on Friday. Paul was injured but there is no further report. I hope Paul's injuries are not serious and he recovers speedily. Also I hope Sailrocket is not too difficult to repair. Paul has been a great inspiration in speed sailing; let's wish him a rapid return to the assault on the speed record.

On a different subject, DrGoulu is blogging in French on foilers, speedsailing and everything strange and fast on the water. Even those of us who don't read French will find much of interest, be sure to check the "leins" (links) at the bottom of the page; many are in English and much is new to me. Here is the address: http://foils.wordpress.com/ Also check out DrGoulu's videos on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrGoulu

Another subject change: Seems like Greenbird should be back in action on the ice soon as the spring thaw will be coming shortly. They will be looking for the snow to melt on the lake's surface and then re-freeze to a smooth surface. I hope they get good ice conditions.

Bob

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