Sailrocket Breaks Wind Powered Speed Sailing World Record

[yojimbo]

http://www.predictwind.com/news/news/sailrocket-shatters-speed-sailing-world-record-video/




They didn't actually break the world record, their average speed was around 54 knots.

[yojimbo]

Vestas SailRocket2 smashes world sailing speed record

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/sailing/9684317/Vestas-SailRocket2-smashes-world-sailing-speed-record.html

[Loscocco]

time for Rob Douglas to get back to Namibia

[K. Cliff]

It's amazing to see such flat water for 26 knots of wind. Very interesting design...

[yojimbo]

I know right, I thought I understood the concept of "apparent wind", and that you could only sail slightly faster than the actual wind. I think the increase in difference must have to do with the efficiency of the "fluid dynamics" of that rigid wing as opposed to a kite.

[yojimbo]

The vestas sailrocket hit a peak speed of 65 knots or 75 mph. Windsurfers set a new record of 52 knots, and kiters begin their run on December 3, 2012.

https://www.facebook.com/luderitzspeedchallenge

and

http://www.gizmag.com/new-world-speed-s ... kmh/25065/

[Greg]

I know right, I thought I understood the concept of "apparent wind", and that you could only sail slightly faster than the actual wind. I think the increase in difference must have to do with the efficiency of the "fluid dynamics" of that rigid wing as opposed to a kite.

The worlds fastest KITER will also HAVE to fly a solid wing. Inflatable kites (all kites actually) have way to much DRAG- Add strings- LOADS of drag, add a person STANDING, tons more drag...
Add to that the HUMAN WEAKNESS factor (NO HUMAN will EVER be able to match the STRENGTH/WEIGHT Carbon/Kevlar)

Sorry guys I think your time is up

[Loscocco]

I know right, I thought I understood the concept of "apparent wind", and that you could only sail slightly faster than the actual wind. I think the increase in difference must have to do with the efficiency of the "fluid dynamics" of that rigid wing as opposed to a kite.

The worlds fastest KITER will also HAVE to fly a solid wing. Inflatable kites (all kites actually) have way to much DRAG- Add strings- LOADS of drag, add a person STANDING, tons more drag...
Add to that the HUMAN WEAKNESS factor (NO HUMAN will EVER be able to match the STRENGTH/WEIGHT Carbon/Kevlar)

Sorry guys I think your time is up

I think your right about a total redesign of the kite with a fixed wing for higher performance. THe drag of the kite and strings are really one of the last things to work on now.

[yojimbo]

On 11/28/12, the Vestas Sailrocket set another record, 65.45 knots or 78mph:

http://www.sailrocket.com/

[Aloha]

If you engineered a windsurfing rig ("we need a wider base, we need a bigger sail") and a kiting rig ("we need a fixed wing, we need a stronger tow structure, we need a stronger base") designed for maximum speed it would be logical if both designs evolved into the sailrocket. So sweet