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 [...]

Sail Rocket’s recent test runs

08 June 2011
I was impressed with VSR2 on its initial outing at Walvis. There were no significant problems (loss of control, crashes, etc.). The design and build team has done a great job. Naturally there was the usual sorting out and tuning, but that appeared to go very well. The craft looked real solid when it was up and planing and the speed increases went off without a hitch. I would say that I fully expect VSR2 to set a new overall record, except like most everyone else, I don’t know what will happen when cavitation sets in (or at what speed it will start.)

While some might be disappointed with the performance of the foil designed for cavitation, “the funky foil”, that’s what R&D is all about; you give it your best educated guess and try it. What happens in the trial is your lesson from which you progress. I can’t help but add (in good humor for all) that perhaps VSR2 should get Wot Rocket’s super-cavitating foils. Wot Rocket claimed they reached 30 knots in 18 – 20 knots true wind speed at about the time they crashed; but if they do have good foils, they’ll have to figure out how to configure the boat so it can be kept pointed in the desired direction.

I would not be surprised if VSR2 already has everything in place to set a new record – “just a little more wind….”

Bob
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