Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
A wind transducer is a device used by sailors to receive a real-time measurement of wind speed and direction. [1] [2] A wind transducer is usually mounted on the masthead of a sailing boat and is occasionally used by power boats too. The wind speed and direction measurements are more critical to sailing boats than to power boats.
The Waszp can start to hydrofoil in 7 kn (13 km/h) of wind, sustain hydrofoiling in as little as 5 kn (9 km/h) of wind and can reach a top speed of 24 kn (44 km/h). [ 3 ] The Waszp is similar to the developmental Moth class , but as a one-design class with aluminum foils it is half the price and thus appeals to a wider group of sailors.
The French experimental Hydroptère set numerous speed records. The boat attained a record speed of 47.6 knots [32] with a goal of breaking the "50 knot barrier" in 2008. [33] On 4 September 2009, l’Hydroptère broke the world speed sailing record, sustaining a speed of 51.36 knots for 500m. [34]
A sail is a tensile structure, which is made from fabric or other membrane materials, that uses wind power to propel sailing craft, including sailing ships, sailboats, windsurfers, ice boats, and even sail-powered land vehicles. Sails may be made from a combination of woven materials—including canvas or polyester cloth, laminated membranes or ...
According to the Cousteau Society, "when compared to the thrust coefficient of the best sails ever built (Marconi or square types, i.e. ships of the American Cup [sic] or the Japanese wind propulsion system) that of the turbosail is 3.5 to 4 times superior and gives the system a unique advantage for the economical propulsion of ships."
Aluminum and aluminum alloys are used both in sheet form for all-metal hulls or for isolated structural members. Many sailing spars are frequently made of aluminium after 1960. It is the lightest material for building large boats (being 15–20% lighter than polyester and 30% lighter than steel).
The catamarans used for the 2013 America's Cup were expected to sail upwind at 1.2 times the speed of the true wind, and downwind at 1.6 times the speed of the true wind. [6] [7] [8] They proved to be faster, averaging about 1.8 times the speed of the wind with peaks slightly over 2.0. [9]
Wind speed increases with height above the surface; at the same time, wind speed may vary over short periods of time as gusts. Wind shear affects sailing craft in motion by presenting a different wind speed and direction at different heights along the mast. Wind shear occurs because of friction above a water surface slowing the flow of air. [80]