Abstract: A sailboat hull and deck structure has a tubular bearing assembly fixedly supported by the hull and deck structure and a hollow mast is journaled by said bearing assembly and extends vertically upwardly therefrom. A sail for the mast has at least one sail control line leading down through the mast and there is an opening in the bearing assembly in the lateral wall thereof to pass the sail control line.

Abstract: An adjustable roller furling spar includes an elongated base member which is securable on a sailboat and an adjustable periphery assembly which is attached to the base member and coextends a distance therewith. The periphery assembly is adjustable to define an effective winding cross-section of the spar which is variable along the longitudinal extent thereof and which is operable for windingly receiving a sail on the spar. By properly adjusting the periphery assembly, it is operable to compensate for irregular stretch in older sails when the spar is used for reefing so that even a badly stretched sail can be maintained in a substantially flat disposition.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustable airfoil which in one embodiment includes a pivotal mast having laterally extending spaced upper and lower arms. Between the arms is a vane which is rotatably mounted on the mast and has a luff slot at its aft end for receiving the forward end of spaced battens connected to flexible sail panels. The panels are provided with inserts at their forward ends sewed in such a manner as to cause the panels to fold in accordion fashion when they are lowered. The sail is raised and lowered by a halyard which may be either in the form of an endless loop mounted adjacent a positioning cable extending between the aft ends of the arms or it may extend forwardly and down through the mast and back to a control station, such as the helm of a sailboat.

Abstract: Working sails are furled remotely while aloft by progressively forming flexible sheet material along the forepart of the sail into a tubular bag containing the sail furled from leech to luff in such fashion that, when furling and bagging of the sail has been completed the lines employed for furling are contained with the sail in the bag.

Abstract: Sail handling apparatus comprises an elongate guide element, e.g. a rod or a cable, located along a path along which a tie locating an edge portion of a sail is required to move during sail handling operations. The tie is attached to the guide element by a load-transfer device comprising a pair of rotatable recessed wheels having a guide member located between them at the periphery of the wheels. When the tie is moved along the guide element it can pass intermediate attachment members supporting the guide element with such members being received in the recesses in the wheels which then rotate with respect to the guide element to pass the attachment members through the load-transfer device. In other embodiments, the load-transfer device forms part of the intermediate attachments for the guide element to enable the sail securing ties to pass such attachment points.

Abstract: Sail handling apparatus that includes a pair of aligned generally triangular panels secured along a boom and to a portion of the mast above the boom. The panels normally straddle the boom to define an open-topped, sail-receiving pocket. The sail can be lowered into the pocket and the top of the panels overlapped to cover the sail.

Abstract: Working sails, typically headsails and mainsails, are furled while aloft by providing flexible sheet material extending along the sail from head to foot, at least preliminarily furling the sail from leech to luff, progressively forming the flexible sheet material into a tubular bag extending from head to foot and enclosing the furled sail, and progressively securing the bag against opening.

Abstract: Device for accelerating the launching of light sails comprising a set of smooth rings encircling the furled sail at intervals along its length and an elastic spacing line extending between the rings and between the uppermost ring and the top of the sail.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/SE78/00051 Sec. 371 Date July 9, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date July 9, 1979 PCT Filed Oct. 5, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00272 PCT Pub. Date May 17, 1979A device for simplifying the setting and taking in of spinnakers comprises a helix (7) which can be longitudinally expanded to a length corresponding to the length of the sail (1). One end of the helix is fastened in the running rigging of the boat adjacent to the head of the sail. A downhaul pulls the helix down over the sail such that the helix is successively stretched out to embrace the sail, and an uphaul is also provided for recontracting the helix from the expanded condition in order to release the sail.

Abstract: This invention relates to a boom, sail and sail attachment rig such as used in sailboats, iceboats, and other objects propelled by wind, and in particular to improved aerodynamic curvature of the sails whereby greater wind power is achieved.

Abstract: A spinnaker header and rig adapted to high performance racing sailboats for adjusting the height from which the spinnaker is flown, characterized by gear adjustable as to height along the forestay under control of a halyard and downhaul, and by a backhaul to take the driving force of the spinnaker.

Abstract: A wind-powered apparatus includes a series of vertically extending transversely curved foils carried in a support and movable longitudinally of the support from a furled condition, where the foils are bunched closely together and present a minimum surface area to the wind, to an unfurled position where the foils are uniformly spaced along the support. The support can be rotated to take advantage of the wind direction, and the foils themselves can be rotated in unison to one side or the other. The various movements of the foils are powered by suitable drive mechanisms which may be remotely controlled.

Abstract: A device for setting and furling a light sail comprises an elongated nylon sleeve and a substantially rigid, funnel-shaped member having an inner end in substantial alignment with the sleeve and an outwardly flaring outer end. The funnel-shaped member has at least a portion extending from the outer end towards the inner end which defines an entirely smooth and even sliding surface for the sail when furled into the sleeve through the outwardly flaring outer end. The surface of the funnel-shaped member portion is generated by a spherical curve and the inner end lies on a circle generated by an innermost point of the curve whereby none of the funnel-shaped member extends radially inwardly beyond the circle. The inner end of the funnel-shaped member is attached to an end of the sleeve and the funnel-shaped member and the attached sleeve are movable over the sail.

Abstract: A generally triangular bag has a front edge provided with a separable fastener so that it can be enclosed around a compacted jib, around the jib hanks securing the luff to the jibstay, and around the lower portion of the jibstay. This bag is formed of a pair of triangular side panels having rear edges joined together at a backwardly convex seam, bottom edges joined by an eliptical bottom panel, and front edges each carrying a respective half of the separable fastener. At the upper and lower ends of the front edge the bag has holes permitting the jibstay to pass through the bag parallel to this front edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for launching and retracting one or more sails of a sailing craft includes a reversible drive for rotating a drum. A rope or other elongated flexible element connects with movable parts of the one or more retractable sails and extends in a substantially continuous loop with a reach of the loop drivingly engaging the peripheral surface of the drum. Guides tension the loop and support the sail connection portions of the flexible element for movement between locations where the movable sail parts are launched and retracted. In preferred practice, the drive includes a radio signal responsive remote control system, and the apparatus operates to selectively launch and retract spinnaker and jib sails.

Abstract: Device for aiding the launching and dousing of light sails comprising a set of smooth rings encircling the furled sail at intervals along its height enabling it to remain furled while being hoisted, launching the sail by moving the rings upwardly out of encircling engagement with the sail and dousing it by moving the rings downwardly into encircling engagement with the sail.