Abstract: The present invention relates to a rig (2) for a nautical means comprising: —a reference plane intended to coincide with a symmetry plane extending in longitudinal and vertical direction of the hull of the nautical means; —at least one wing; —at least one rigid support capable of supporting said wing and transmitting a propulsive thrust to the hull of the nautical means given by the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing when it takes wind; —the wing comprising a first and a second main face opposite to each other, —the rigid support being capable of supporting the wing at least in a first operating configuration in which at least a main portion of the first or second face is facing a first side of the reference plane and in a second operating configuration in which said main portion is facing the opposite side of the reference plane; —the rigid support comprising a wing sliding path for switching from the first to the second operating position and vice versa.

Abstract: The sail force gauge utilizes an electronic system to measure the vectored force of the mainsheet or jib sheet. By gaining the vectored force of the sheet, a relative vectored force upon the sail can be acquired thru simple trigonometric equations. To obtain the vectored force measurement, a multi-axis load cell will measure the force in the lateral and axial directions. These forces can be used to calculate the vectored force of the mainsheet. By knowing the dimensions of the boom length, the sheet block positions, and the vector angle, the resultant angle of the boom can be calculated as well as the perpendicular sail force acting upon the boom. From these calculations, the relative axial force acting upon the boat can be calculated.

Abstract: A wind gust dampening system for a sailing vessel for absorbing the forces generated by a wind gust upon a sail is disclosed. The wind gust dampening system may be adjustable such that the system may be used on a variety of different size and types of sailing vessels to absorb forces from wind gusts to prevent sailing vessels from capsizing or from damage occurring to equipment, or both. The configuration of the wind gust dampening system provides for a plurality of adjustments enabling the system to be uniquely adapted to each sailing vessel for increased efficiency. The wind gust dampening system may include one or more shock cords for absorbing the forces generated by wind gusts and may extend between a deck of a vessel and a sail.

Abstract: A wing profile sail for sailboats and sailboards, formed by a flexible sheet having a leading edge configured to be coupled to a mast, includes inflatable bladder means extending along the direction of the leading edge, rearward thereto, to provide a wind profile to the sail. The inflatable bladder means includes multiple pockets fixed to the opposite surfaces of the flexible sheet and localized behind its leading edge.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanized device for rigging a sail of a ship that includes: a mast, a boom and a gaff secured to the mast by the respective front ends thereof, a guiding element linking the two rear ends of the boom and the gaff, and delimiting a frame together with the mast, a rectangular sail, secured to the boom by the edge thereof, and equipped on the hoist and leech thereof with a means for guiding respectively along the mast and along the guiding element, a mechanized means for hoisting and lowering the sail in the frame, while keeping the hoist and the leech thereof respectively guided along the mast and along the guiding element.

Abstract: A wind gust dampening system for a sailing vessel for absorbing the forces generated by a wind gust upon a sail is disclosed. The wind gust dampening system may be adjustable such that the system may be used on a variety of different size and types of sailing vessels to absorb forces from wind gusts to prevent sailing vessels from capsizing or from damage occurring to equipment, or both. The configuration of the wind gust dampening system provides for a plurality of adjustments enabling the system to be uniquely adapted to each sailing vessel for increased efficiency. The wind gust dampening system may include one or more shock cords for absorbing the forces generated by wind gusts and may extend between a deck of a vessel and a sail.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanized device for rigging a sail of a ship that includes: a mast, a boom and a gaff secured to the mast by the respective front ends thereof, a guiding element linking the two rear ends of the boom and the gaff, and delimiting a frame together with the mast, a rectangular sail, secured to the boom by the edge thereof, and equipped on the hoist and leech thereof with a means for guiding respectively along the mast and along the guiding element, a mechanized means for hoisting and lowering the sail in the frame, while keeping the hoist and the leech thereof respectively guided along the mast and along the guiding element.

Abstract: A sail control device for flattening the after portion of a triangular sail. The sail control device includes at least one tensioning member which extends from a front portion of the sail across the sail to the after portion of the sail. The tensioning member may be attached to a Cunningham line for tensioning.

Abstract: In a battened sailboard sail a sail attachment device is attached to the leading edge of the sail and the sail attachment device is connected to a camber-inducer by a line that is acted on by a batten to evenly distribute the batten tension load between the sail and camber-inducer. The batten is able to move chordwise relative the camber inducer when the sail is rotating about the mast.

Abstract: A sail assembly having a single, closed-loop support batten that supports a flexible sail. The sail is a hollow body defining a substantially hemispherical shape when fully expanded by captured wind. The support batten is housed in a perimeter sleeve at the front end of the sail. The support batten is stiff enough to support the sail, yet elastic enough that it can be twisted and coiled as three contiguous coils for compact folding. The sail has a significantly smaller size in the folded and coiled orientation, and is capable of rapid self deployment due to the energy stored in the folded batten. The deployed sail can be fastened to the deck of a small watercraft, hand held, or fastened to the blade end of a paddle or oar for capturing the energy in the wind to propel a small watercraft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a placement system for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a watercraft in which the kite-type wind-attacked element comprising a profiled wing is connected to the vessel body via a traction rope. Said wind-attacked element can be guided from a neutral position on board the watercraft into a raised position that is free from obstacles located at the same or a higher level. An azimuthally pivotable fixture is provided by means of which the wind-attacked element can be brought into a position in which the same is exposed to a sufficient wind effect. Furthermore, a docking receiving device is provided which is to be removably connected to the docking adapter of the wind-attacked element on the side facing away from the wind while also allowing the wind-attacked element to be furled with the aid of automatically engaging holding means.

Abstract: A whisker pole for a sailboat is provided. The whisker pole includes an inflatable portion that can be pressurized to maintain the position of a headsail. The whisker pole can be deflated for stowage. The length of the whisker pole can be adjusted for different boats and rigging requirements.

Abstract: A sail device or assembly that contains a single supporting perimeter member or batten that supports an internal 3-dimensional sail area used for down or off the wind sailing. The perimeter batten is stiff enough to hold and support the sail material yet elastic enough that it can be folded and coiled into three contiguous coils. This folded and coiled orientation is approximately 20% smaller and has a spring-like energy used to essentially self-launch and instantly deploy the sail. The deployed sail can be fastened to the deck of a small watercraft, hand-held or fastened to the blade end of a paddle or oar for capturing the energy in the wind to propel a small watercraft.

Abstract: A pulley comprising a first pulley wheel and a second pulley wheel and a ratchet acting between the two pulley wheels. When substantially equal force is applied to each pulley wheel in use on a rope tail side causing the pulley wheels to rotate, a low gear ratio is achieved through a rope, chain or the like acting on a load through a block. When one pulley wheel is prevented from rotating and a force is applied to the other pulley wheel in use on a rope tail side causing it to rotate, then a higher gear ratio is achieved through a rope or chain or the like acting on a load through a block. When force is applied to the first wheel on a rope tail side and the second pulley wheel is allowed to rotate, then a still higher ratio is achieved in use through a rope, chain or the like acting on a load through a block.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting sails comprising a roll stand configured to supply a carrier film. The apparatus contains a support mechanism for the carrier film, and further comprises of a drawing mechanism, a first resin dispenser, a first wiper portion, two yarn applicators, a second resin dispenser, a second wiper portion, an element applicator, a calendar, and curing mechanism.

Abstract: A resilient, shock absorption assembly that mounts between available sail rigging lines and a boat hull. In one assembly, a piston is resiliently biased relative to a housing and contained spring to permit reciprocating movement. Couplers at distal ends of the piston and housing attach to suitable rigging lines and/or the boat. In other assemblies, resilient elastomer cores bias movement of a piston or cable. In another assembly fitted within a main sail boom, a cable biases the boom rigging lines. In still another construction, an “A-shape”, mast replacement framework is secured to pivot from a boat's deck. Resiliently biased cables act as a mast and support a sail boom. One or more separate resilient assemblies can be coupled to the sail. The cable mast and rigging lines are thus made resilient to counterbalance the boat against heeling with the presence of rough water and gusty winds.

Abstract: A stowable semi rigid airfoil assembly, functions automatically to airflow as a draft adjusting wing sail, or spinnaker sail (19), for use on a mast (17) with a halyard (41) on a wind powered craft. The halyard connected to the heads (83) of port and starboard sail panels (10) surrounding the mast vertically, elongates the airfoil from a “wing chord section shaped boom” (21) attached to the airfoils' foot (57). The sailcloth (12) panels are laminated with rigid foam cored (11) horizontal panel sections (13) set between flexible sailcloth spaces (14), for folding the rigid panels down over the wing shaped boom. The top of the panel sections above the boom are outward folding (22) spaces, and every other one of the spaces up the sail are outward folding, and every other one of the other spaces are inward folding (16) and are increased in separation (20) between the rigid panels. The leading edges (27) of the sail panels are joined at the inward folding spaces.

Abstract: The mainstay rig is an improved standing rig system for wind-powered vehicles that travel on water, snow, ice, land, or rail. Mainstay rig uses a mast at a rake and uses a vertical mainstay to support mainsail luff, which gives less disturbance of airflow at mainsail luff and greater driving force. Mainstay rig can use jib-furling mechanisms for mainsail furling. Mainstay rig eliminates backstay and gives a greater choice of mainsail shape which allows more efficient energy extraction from wind because sails can be shaped with larger roach or be shaped closer to an ideal elliptical shape. Additionally, mainstay rig can use one shroud, which reduces windage.