And Then there's This Thing....

[Simon Sexton]

Two words. Sail Rocket.

65.5 Knots. No thanks. I love racing, yes, but that. Erm, nah. What do YOU think??

 

[Hayden Watson]

It would be a heck of a lot of fun to tack!

 

[Justin_NSA]

Water gets pretty hard at that speed!

 

[Simon Sexton]

It would be a heck of a lot of fun to tack!

Oh, gosh, I'm sure XD

 

[Simon Sexton]

Water gets pretty hard at that speed!

Well, you know what they say: It's not the fall that hurts...it's the sudden stop...

 

[DayDreamer41]

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia...-over-65-knot-run--Video/104203?source=google

 

[LakeShark]

It does not tack well at all. The first 2 prototypes collapsed horribly and it was made specifically for a speed run just to prove it could be done. I used to work for Vestas for a while and the wing is modeled using the most advanced technologies. Vestas is a wind turbine Manufacturer in Denmark. They were somewhat proud of being a part of this technology when it was going on.

Still gotta admit the video on youtube is impressive!

 

[pateco]

 

[capta]

following that thread of thought led me to the Hobie Trifoiler, a quick little water toy anyone can afford at around 10g's. Zoom, zoom....

 

[rgranger]

Two words. Sail Rocket.

65.5 Knots. No thanks. I love racing, yes, but that. Erm, nah. What do YOU think??

WHAT! That is 75 mph. I don't even like to drive my truck that fast.

 

[jssailem]

heck of a lot of fun to tack!

@Hayden Watson tacking is for sissies. You just point this thing and go. It makes it's own apparent wind. The faster it goes the less the wind direction becomes relevant.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Sail powered ski boat specializing in barefoot skiing.
- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[JohnShannon]

"the 40 knot sailboat" by Barnard Smith 1960 or so shows more or less plans for the sail rocket. Talk about being ahead of your time.

 

[Skipper]

I could get to Catalina in 30 minutes.

 

[The Shadow Knows]

I as a traditional sailor, was disappointed at the America's Cup race.

Technology is a great innovator however, we monohull 2 or 3 sail boaters live
in a different universe.

What they should have done was to create different classes for sailboat racing.
A class for traditional sailors & another class for extreme racing. That way, each would be represented.

I used to like watching traditional boats rounding marks on a much longer course & seeing the
sail changes, the course strategies & not having to wear crash helmets or seeing stationary bicycles onboard.

Then again, maybe it's just me..........& I'm old school.

 

[Simon Sexton]

I as a traditional sailor, was disappointed at the America's Cup race.

Technology is a great innovator however, we monohull 2 or 3 sail boaters live
in a different universe.

What they should have done was to create different classes for sailboat racing.
A class for traditional sailors & another class for extreme racing. That way, each would be represented.

I used to like watching traditional boats rounding marks on a much longer course & seeing the
sail changes, the course strategies & not having to wear crash helmets or seeing stationary bicycles onboard.

Then again, maybe it's just me..........& I'm old school.

It's not just you, Shadow...I'm a HUGE fan of classic sailing, and I've sailed multiple historical America's Cup schooners and had one hell of a time...I've also sailed multiple hydrofoiling boats...not a fan!

 

[The Shadow Knows]

Simon,

Thanks for agreeing with me.

It will be a few years before boats like these will be affordable & in production for the masses.
I know how to hang & changeout rags but, have never sailed with an airplane wing.
I like the idea but for me & my sailing, I don't think it will happen.

I take guests out for an enjoyable experience & at 6 to 8 knots on a soft ride sans white-knuckle holding-on.
I hold true that conversation is better on a sailboat. Then again, there's no engine noise to have to talk over
& folks can mull about at their leisure, thus taking in more of what's to see & appreciate on the water.

I wouldn't have a problem with separating the classes, the extreme ski-boat types for the younger crowd,
yet keeping with the more traditional sailing for the rest of us.

Has anyone ever said that they have a private sailboat owner in another slip that owns a hi-tech sled-type
sailboat complete with foils & bicycles?
I know of no one.............do you?

 

[Simon Sexton]

Simon,

Thanks for agreeing with me.

It will be a few years before boats like these will be affordable & in production for the masses.
I know how to hang & changeout rags but, have never sailed with an airplane wing.
I like the idea but for me & my sailing, I don't think it will happen.

I take guests out for an enjoyable experience & at 6 to 8 knots on a soft ride sans white-knuckle holding-on.
I hold true that conversation is better on a sailboat. Then again, there's no engine noise to have to talk over
& folks can mull about at their leisure, thus taking in more of what's to see & appreciate on the water.

I wouldn't have a problem with separating the classes, the extreme ski-boat types for the younger crowd,
yet keeping with the more traditional sailing for the rest of us.

Has anyone ever said that they have a private sailboat owner in another slip that owns a hi-tech sled-type
sailboat complete with foils & bicycles?
I know of no one.............do you?

Shadow,

I surely do not, sir! The foiling vessels I sailed were in San Diego and owned by racing teams, not any specific person. Now, I have a friend who owns a Wasp (small hydrofoiling dinghy) and a Catalina 30, but even that is good old fashioned flexible sail, rigging and no bicycle! The most fun I've ever had in my entire life was sailing a 45 foot Classic Schooner named Marigo out of Galveston Bay...she's a beautiful gaff-rigger with two fore-staysl's and a flying jib, and we had her full sail under a 20 knot wind...stunning. We made an average 23 knots and I wasn't afeared for my life. I've also sailed the Elissa three times, Schooner America (replica, of course) twice, the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle once, and so many other smaller classics; I really do consider myself privileged at age 18 to have that experience! But yes, I only know of many others like myself who love racing and pushing things to the edge one day, but also sitting back and simply enjoying God's creation the next just as well.

God Bless,
S.S.

 

[justsomeguy]

It's not just you, Shadow...I'm a HUGE fan of classic sailing, and I've sailed multiple historical America's Cup schooners and had one hell of a time...I've also sailed multiple hydrofoiling boats...not a fan!

If you're really 18 years old, my faith in the newer generations (and their literacy rates) may just be restored.

 

[Simon Sexton]

If you're really 18 years old, my faith in the newer generations (and their literacy rates) may just be restored.

Justsomeguy,

Thank you, sir! I'm right there with you...it seems as if almost every other kid is just interested in video games, girls, or going and getting that huge career...but I prefer the outside world, the path less traveled; I prefer sailing the good ole' fashioned way! Also, worry not...there are many others like me Sea Scouts, Elissa Youth Crew, young racers and sailors are all over the place down here in Texas, and the sport is growing rapidly; I'm sure it's the same everywhere else not only in this country, but in the entire world...because people are afraid of the ocean and its power at first...but when they, like me, take that first step, shut the engine off, and experience the magical power of wind and canvas, they realize what they've been missing all along. I spent many a summer's day on Sonars teaching disabled people, young kids and full grown adults how to sail, and there's nothing better to me than seeing the look on their faces when they finally grab hold of the tiller and sheet and conquer wind and sea.