Abstract: A windsurfer sail where the top section of the mast of the sail is arcuately curved a substantial amount where the longitudinal center axis of the top edge of the mast is parallel to the upper surface of the sailboard. This top section of the mast is also capable of a limited amount of pivoting movement relative to the remaining portion of the mast so that the uppermost area of the sail can be oriented in the maximum wind-catching position.

Abstract: A sailboard has a force responsive device connected to its mast for providing first and second output signals corresponding to the shearing forces acting between the mast and the sailboard in the longitudinal direction of the sailboard and in the transverse direction of the sailboard, with an indicator responsive to the first and second output signals for providing visual indications representing the shearing forces to enable improved operation of the sailboard.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorber unit for use on sailboards to absorb detrimental vertical forces generated during sailing in rough water. The unit replaces existing flexible solid rubber universal joints with a joint comprising a pressurized chamber with a flexible side wall. The flexibility of the side wall allows the present invention to absorb the impact forces while serving as an improved universal joint.

Abstract: A craft propelled by an inclined sail. Sail lift causes hull to be raised by rotating to windward about an outrigger borne by tandem surface boards, thus decreasing resistance.

Abstract: An A frame mast is pivoted relative to a sailboat hull and supports a lateen yard. A boom is coupled to the yard and to the sailboat hull at the bow. The A frame mast is supported in all positions by struts that lead from each leg of the A frame mast to slidable connections on the hull which permits the mast to be raised and lowered. In other forms, a foldable mast assembly for a sailboat uses a rotatable stub mast and a boom mounted at the upper end thereof. An A frame mast is pivoted relative to the boom and carries a lateen yard that can be raised and lowered by a halyard at the top of the mast structure. To raise and lower the mast, a pair of struts are pivoted thereto and are slidably connected to the sailboat hull or boom so that by using mechanical advantage coupled to the slidable connection, the mast be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A masting for sailboats, which comprises: at least three poles, the lower end of which are fitted in the bridge or deck of the boat, while the upper ends are connected one to the other to form the vertex of an ideal pyramid whose corners are formed by said poles; and a plurality of stays in tension between said vertex and an anchoring point on the boat, the sails being borne by said stays.

Abstract: A sailboat mast constructed of two extruded mast sections joined together by two joining sections. The joining sections have either wedge-shaped surfaces or wedge-shaped openings along their edges which mate with wedge-shaped openings or wedge-shaped surfaces at the edges of the mast sections. The mast sections and the joining sections are held together by a thin layer of glue located on the mating, wedge-shaped surfaces. Because of the wedge shapes, when the glue is applied and the mast sections and the joining sections are pressed together, the glue squeezes into a thin, uniform layer which provides a strong joint.

Abstract: A mast is provided which functions as both a mast and a righting lever which provides an immediate and powerful addition to the righting moment of a sailing vessel. The mast comprises a hollow longitudinal member adapted for carrying a sail. The longitudinal member contains one or more internal compartments which are sealed to prevent fluid communication to the interior of the mast.

Abstract: A sloop comprising a mast in the form of an A-frame with its plane athwartships. The luff of the mainsail is supported by a mainstay which is a thin wire or rod running from the apex of the A-frame vertically to a point on deck between the legs of the A-frame. This structure eliminates the turbulence along the leading edge or luff of the mainsail caused by conventional masts, and also permits a headsail to be closely hauled. The A-frame comprises one or more rigid horizontal spreaders and the mainsail boom and a spinnaker pole can be slidably mounted thereon.

Abstract: The invention provides an aerodynamically profiled structural pipe (1) comprising a supporting pipe (2) and a rear tapered part (3) of soft material. The tapered part (3) has on both sides beads (15) forced into and captively held by rearwardly open chambers (12) of the supporting pipe (2).

Abstract: An airfoil system for use on water vessels is described. A plurality of fore and aft symmetrical sails are arranged to form an asymmetrical two surface airfoil. The individual sails may be rotated to allow tacking. The parameters of sail configurations described form a high lift low drag airfoil. Two and three sail configurations are described.

Abstract: A mast for a sailboat includes a plurality of spaced parallel bars arranged as a polygon in cross-section wherein the bars are of a size to permit air flow therebetween and being oriented such that one of the bars is disposed nearer the aft of the boat than the remaining bars. Bracing members are secured between the bars and means are provided for securing a luff edge of a sail to the one bar to thereby attach the sail to the sailboat.

Abstract: A sailboat mast constructed of two extruded mast sections joined together by two joining sections. The joining sections have wedge-shaped surfaces along their edges which mate with wedge-shaped openings at the edges of the mast sections. The mast sections and the joining sections are held together by a thin layer of glue located on the mating, wedge-shaped surfaces. Because of the wedge shapes, when the glue is applied and the mast sections and the joining sections are pressed together, the glue squeezes into a thin, uniform layer which provides a strong joint.

Abstract: A device for terminating a stay, such as one of the shrouds staying the mast of a sailboat, onto a structure, such as the hull of the sailboat, comprises a stay retaining member on which is an operative surface adapted to cooperate with a substantially complementary reaction surface. A chain plate comprises a housing adapted to accommodate the stay retaining member with a reaction surface substantially complementary to the operative surface on the stay retaining member and adapted to cooperate with it. An assembly for attaching the stay is fixed to the stay retaining member and arranged so that in use the stay exerts on the operative and reaction surfaces a force that is substantially transverse to them. Force is transferred from the chain plate to the structure by a tie. This has at one end a tie retaining member on which is an operative surface adapted to cooperate with a substantially complementary reaction surface.

Abstract: To counteract stress peaks on a sailboard exerted by the bottom end of the mast, this bottom end is provided with a shock absorber formed by an oil filled cylinder and a piston with piston rod displaceable therein. The piston is provided with passages. The flow of oil through these passages is governed by valve means.

Abstract: Rigging for nautical or terrestrial craft comprising a sail (1) integral with a mast hinged to the craft. According to the invention, the sail (1) is stretched onto symmetrical uprights (2) which are themselves bent by a cable (7) tensioned by a hoist (10) so as to give the sail a lenticular shape.

Abstract: A temporary mast support and storage structure for a detachable mast for a wind surfing board or the like having an attached sail and boom structure. The structure includes a first hollow, elongated cylindrical sleeve having a radially outwardly extending flange whereby the flange adapts the sleeve to be emplaced in sand or concrete and the flange being further adapted to be coupled with a vehicular mounted trailer hitch. A second hollow, elongated cylindrical sleeve having a radially outwardly extending flange is provided the radius of the cylinder of the second sleeve being lesser than the radius of the cylinder of the first sleeve such that the second sleeve fits within the first sleeve with the flange of the second sleeve overlying, at least in part the flange of the first sleeve.

Abstract: A boat that is powered by an autogyro rotor is disclosed. A boat hull having a stern mounted rudder is provided with a selectively rotatable boom, preferably mounted in proximity to the rudder at the hull centerline. The boom is angled upwardly from its rotatable base, terminating at its upper extremity in a pivoting rotor mount and stops. The stops define the limits of pivot or cant of the rotor axis,the first being preferably horizontal and the second approximately thirty degrees (30.degree.) thereto. When disposed at thirty degrees (+.degree.) the axis passes through the center of lateral resistance of the rudder and hull combination, the effect being to minimize heel, ballast used to resist heel, and that part of a keel used to resist heel, resulting in less drag and greater speed. An upward thrust component of the autogyro rotor also results in reversal of the normally downward force component from heel, further reducing drag and increasing speed. Lee or weather helm is also substantially eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sailboat in which the hull is defined by cross-sections forming equilateral triangles standing on one tip with convex sides and which continuously decrease in size toward the bow and stern so that the keel line and the side edges coincide there and a substantially symmetrical ellipsoid is formed. The ellipsoid includes an extended bow cockpit and downwardly and outwardly slanting adjustable rudder vanes simultaneously forming rest feet. A central seat in the hull receives an adjustable mast of a profiled sail corresponding to a symmetrical airfoil profile having an adjustable airfoil cap at its front end. Several beams at the mast can be pulled up over each other and sail segments mounted in between can be reefed.

Abstract: A sail assembly for use with a hull, comprising a base and a mast mounted on the base for rotation about a vertical axis, the mast also extending at a mast tilt angle with respect to the vertical. A sail structure, which includes a sail frame and a sail fixed to the frame at predetermined points of attachment, has its frame mounted on the tip of the mast by a universal joint and so that the tip of the mast is at, or close to, the center of gravity of the sail. A manually operable steering mechanism is provided on the mast, adjacent to the base, and a rigging, including steering ropes, operatively joins the steering mechanism and the sail frame at points of connection adjacent the aforesaid points of attachment for moving the frame and sail in unison about the universal joint when the steering mechanism is operated.

Abstract: A force amplifying device for stretching sail and riggings of a sailing device. The device includes a rope drive for winding up a rope under tension arranged in an elongated housing with the axis of the rope drum directed essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction of the housing. An elongated crank arm is arranged outside the housing in a force transferring connection to the rope drum for turning the rope drum and winding up a rope under tension on the rope drum. At least one locking arrangement is provided for locking the crank arm in a direction which substantially coincides with the longitudinal extension direction of the elongated housing.

Abstract: A canoe adapted to be collapsed or disassembled for transportation but which, when assembled is capable of use in sea-going applications, the canoe comprising a fore skeletal half frame and an aft skeletal half frame each comprising a number of separate frame members and releasably connected together by a plurality of over-center locking devices, and a hull skin adapted to sheath the half frames when connected together.

Abstract: In a mast base arrangement for a surfboard having a mast base lower part which is disposed beneath a universal joint (5) and which engages in an opening of a connecting member on the surfboard side, the mast base lower part is provided with a lever (59) in order to facilitate the insertion of the mast base lower part into the opening of the connecting member.

Abstract: A vibration damping arrangement for a structural member including leaf springs extending horizontally from a vibration absorber body adapted to be attached to the structural member. A set of horizontal-vibration-absorbing leaf springs extends in one horizontal plane while a set of vertical-vibration-absorbing leaf springs extends in another horizontal plane. A weight is mounted on the distal end of each leaf spring. The relative positions of the leaf springs in their respective planes are staggered around a vertical axis.

Abstract: A sail on a cylindrical mast provides an aerodynamically shaped leading edge automatically oriented into relative wind, and a smooth shape behind the mast automatically adjusting for changes in trim of the sail. Flexible rib pairs opposite the mast are clamped tantentially to full length battens, the battens defining the shape of the ribs and the orientation of the leading edge.

Abstract: A sailboat mast is provided with a non-conducting upper end portion. The non-conducting portion is formed by wrapping a plastic core with resin-impregnated fiberglass and molding the wrapped core. The lower end of the non-conducting portion is provided with a necked-down portion which is inserted into the upper end of a conventional metal mast. The trailing side of the non-conducting portion has a pair of longitudinally extending grooves, and a plastic luff track includes a pair of attaching flanges which are inserted into the grooves.

Abstract: A cross-section of the mast of this invention exhibits an external portion having roughly the form of a horseshoe, an internal portion arranged within the external portion for reinforcement thereof and having the form of an arc of a circle with the same axis of symmetry and open on the same side as the external portion, the ends of the arc being respectively coupled to the arms of the horseshoe and two closing members fixed to the respective arms and forming two lips which partially close the horseshoe opening but leave therebetween sufficient space to allow passage of a sail retained within the mast. Such arrangement is applicable to masts having an internal sail roller.

Abstract: A three hulled sailboat consists of a tripod frame having three downwardly inclined spars which define support points at their distal ends. During the sailing of the boat, one support point is always toward the windward, and the other two support points are leeward. A generally vertical mast spar supported on the frame has a masthead spaced equidistantly from the two lee support points and generally above the windward support point. Three buoyant hulls are coupled to the respective support points, the hulls being elongated with a high length-to-beam ratio, and being symmetrical about a transverse vertical plane for movement through the water in either direction. The hulls are coupled for independent rotation and steering relative to the frame and also for independent pitching relative to the frame about transverse central axes. Independent steering is provided for each of the three hulls relative to the frame.

Abstract: The device for adjusting the mast of a sailboardcomprises a slide (4) accommodating the mast foot via a rubber joint (7) and a safety coupling, this slide being guided adjustably and lockably on a profiled rail (1) countersunk in the sailboard (3) in the longitudinal extension of the latter, wherein, for the formation of a point readily bendable in one plane, the rubber joint (7) between the mast and the slide (4) consists of an upper section (8) and a lower section (9), which sections are connected with each other to be pivotable about a hinge pin (10) arranged perpendicularly to the mast.

Abstract: A sailing vessel is provided with an improved rig which utilizes a fabricated adapter having a downwardly depending leg rotatably held in the hull of the boat and having a first forwardly angled arm for carrying a rigid mast spar and a rearwardly angled arm carrying a rigid boom spar. The sail has a curved leading edge attachable to the mast spar and a foot attachable to the boom spar which causes the mast and boom spars to be bowed toward each other and under continuous but adjustable tension resulting in a taut sail. Since the mast spar is forward of the center of rotation of the rig. The center of effort of the sail is positioned closely adjacent, but slightly downwind of the center of rotation of the rig resulting in easier handling of the sail, greater rig efficiency and improved balance of the vessel.

Abstract: Stepping and tensioning of a pivotal mast by a single individual is effected by use of a coupling attached at one end to the hull and having structure for adjustable securing the free end of either the front or back stay thereto at selected length positions. The coupling includes a pulley adapted to receive a line releasably attached to the end of the stay, which when pulled by an individual causes the stay to step the pivotal mast to permit securing the stay to the coupling.

Abstract: The present sailboat sail has extremely high aerodynamic efficiency. The sail has a bifurcated forward edge, the forward ends (17A) of each of which is carried by a footing rope (45) in a track of a vertical stay (22); a fairing (44) is arranged to wrap around the leading edge of a mast (3), and the fairing has a pair of trailing edges (44A), each of which has a footing rope also disposed to be connected to said vertical stays (22); the stays (22) can be separated by a spacer (42) to control the aerodynamic disposition of the trailing edges (44A) of the fairing (44) and the leading edges (17A) of the bifurcated portion of the sail; an enlargement member (46) may be disposed between the inside of the leading edge of the fairing and the outside of the leading edge of the mast further to improve the aerodynamic disposition of the fairing and sail.

Abstract: A body sail device mountable around the body of a user for propelling the user through the water. The body sail includes an upstanding mast and a mounting member attachable on the body of the user for mounting the mast on the user. An outwardly extending boom is attached to the mast. At least one and preferably two sails are attached to the boom mast. A guide assembly is pivotally attached to one of the sail for controlling the trim of the sail with respect to the boom and mast.

Abstract: The sail rig comprises a quadrangular sail. A mast sleeve is arranged through the sail area from head to the foot and a flexible mast of flat cross section is inserted therein. A wishbone or a single-boom is connected at the fore to the luff clew and at the rear to the aft leech clew. Owing to the curvature or camber of the sail, its periphery is subject to higher tension than the remaining surface. Therefore, even after rigging up, the sail will not only curve horizontally, but also vertically. When exposed to wind, the sail will form a harmonic compound shape having its concave side to windward. The mast connected to the sail by the mast sleeve bends in the same direction as the sail. The tension around the periphery produces a triangulation effect in conjunction with the mast, similar to that of stays, thereby preventing the mast head from deflecting to leeward. The tension forces of the sail acting upon the mast are balanced and negligible. It is thus possible to build a lighter and more flexible mast.

Abstract: A kit (1) for assembling into a mount (20) for attachment to a spar (21) to support a radar antenna (26) including port and starboard side plates (2), a base plate (3), a plurality of compression tubes (4) and a plurality of threaded fasteners (5). The mount assembled from the kit has the base plate attached to the port and starboard side plates, the side plates attached to the spar, and the compression tubes fastened between the side plates by the threaded fasteners to thereby form a rigid structure capable of supporting a radar antenna.

Abstract: A sail on a cylindrical mast provides an aerodynamically shaped leading edge automatically oriented into relative wind, and a smooth shape behind the mast automatically adjusting for changes in trim of the sail. Flexible rib pairs opposite the mast are clamped tantentially to full length battens, the battens defining the shape of the ribs and the orientation of the leading edge.

Abstract: The roller furling element of this invention is formed by a single piece profiled member extruded from aluminum and includes:two concentric cylindrical tubes, the internal one being adapted to accommodate a stay, and the external one having two longitudinal slots each allowing a sail to pass through, the bolt rope of which may be held between the two tubes; andlongitudinal walls distributed within the annular space between the tubes and uniting the tubes to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catamaran-type sail boat comprising several inclined mast-like elements rotatively mounted at their lower ends and upper ends respectively by appropriate lower connecting mechanism and upper connecting mechanism, the masts being provided over at least a portion of their length with a fin rigidly connected to the masts, the fin working as a sail. Angular rotation positioning mechanism is provided to rotate the rotatable masts provided with the fin so that the boat can be driven at will.

Abstract: A sailboat mast is provided with a non-conducting upper end portion. The non-conducting portion is formed by wrapping a plastic core with resin-impregnated fiberglass and molding the wrapped core. The lower end of the non-conducting portion is provided with a necked-down portion which is inserted into the upper end of a conventional metal mast. The trailing side of the non-conducting portion has a pair of longitudinally extending grooves, and a plastic luff track includes a pair of attaching flanges which are inserted into the grooves.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed which secures the sail to the mast of a sailing craft to achieve an aerodynamic profile about the mast while allowing curvature in the mast for optimum sail profile. The arrangement includes an outer profile sleeve of flexible material extending from a line of securement to the rear of the luff of the sail forwardly around the mast. The profile sleeve receives one or more semi-rigid, flexible profile members comprised of lightweight plastic sections configured to be tightly fit therein, stretching the profile sleeve into a high efficiency wing shape surrounding the mast. The wing shape includes a leading parabolic surface and curved sides smoothly transitioning into the main sail area to create a lift airfoil with the sail angled either to port or starboard.

Abstract: A walker-sailor watercraft which can be used for either walking or sailing on the surface of a body of water includes separate right and left walker members, each walker member including a foot cavity, a support member, a hollow seat member and a storage member, a sail mounting platform which is fixedly connectable between the support members of the walker members and otherwise storable in the hollow seat member on one of the walker members, a sail structure which is mountable on the sail mounting platform and otherwise storable in the storage members of one of the walker members, and a rudder structure which is mountable on the trailing end of one of the walker members and otherwise storable in the hollow seat member of the other of the walker members.

Abstract: A trapeze system is adapted for use on a sailing vessel having a substantially vertical mast. The trapeze system comprises a pair of substantially rigid hanging members connected at their upper extremities to an upper extremity of a mast in such a manner that each hanging member is capable of movement on its respective side of the mast. A trapeze harness is provided, together with a hook for releasably connecting the hanging members to the trapeze harness.

Abstract: A wind propelled surfboard which has a catamaran hull wherein each hull can be folded to a collapsed position. Also, the mast and boom are capable of being folded when into a collapsed position when not in use.

Abstract: The mast foot mounting system for a sailboard in accordance with the invention comprises a slide track and a sliding shoe supported for displacement in the slide track and carrying the mast foot and adapted to be locked firmly in a plurality of positions along the slide track. An actuator always remaining in a fixed position is disposed at the sternward end of the slide track for release of the lock. The narrow sliding shoe is provided in front of the mast foot pin with a safety fastener which permits adjustment of the overload at which the mast foot pin is set free by the safety fastener.

Abstract: A sailboard rig has a mast and a boom running aft from the mast for holding and moving the sail. The boom is more specially in the form of a wishbone boom with the sail in its opening. The mast has a mast foot joint such that it may be turned and heeled over on the board. The sail is joined to the mast at its luff and the aft end of the boom is joined with an aft limit of the sail.In order to make possible better use of the wind and for increasing the top speed of the rig, the sail is made up of a lower panel and two upper panels and the mast is branched so as to have two upper arms spreading outwards towards leeches of the two upper panels of the sail. These upper panels are joined with the lower sail panel at a seam and are joined to the mast arms along luffs so that all in all there is a generally Y-like mast and a sail with a Y-like form of luff.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for a wing sail on a vessel, comprising a rotatable frame at the base of the mast and hydraulic cylinders connected between the frame and the ship's structure to cause rotation of the frame in either direction through a limited angle, and a brake is provided on the frame for transmitting rotation of the frame to the mast when the frame is rotating in a direction that it is desired for the mast to rotate, and a brake is provided for preventing rotation of the mast when the frame rotates in the opposite direction, whereby the mast may be rotated through a desired angle by oscillatory movement of the rotatable frame.

Abstract: Mast (1) having essentially a rectangular cross-section with rounded narrow sides, preferably made in sandwich-type construction from integrally fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane structural foam (7) as core material with fiberglass laminates (8) as stressed skins bonded to both wide sides. The depth measured between the two narrow sides is greatest in the vicinity of the attachment area of the wishbone-type boom (12), and it decreases from there towards at least the top end, whereby the average depth of the mast cross-section shall measure at least twice as much as the mast width. The mast (1) for a sail-board is connected with the wishbone-type boom (12) via an articulated attachment (13) thus permitting the mast to pivot freely within the limits of the wishbone boom and to point its narrow leading edge against the wind. The mast (1) is essentially submitted only to a stress resulting from the tractional force of the sail (14) attached behind the narrow backside of the mast.

Abstract: A sail support and control system designed for use as sail assist propulsion on a cargo vessel.The system provides complete powered control of the amount of exposed sail, the angle of the sail in relation to the vessel, and clew outhaul and downhaul tension so that no manual handling of rigging is required.

Abstract: In a sailboard rig, the boom is provided at its mast end with an extension using a torsion spring, which in an operative position extends in the plane of the boom and which is provided at its fore end with an eye for attaching a starting sheet.

Abstract: A mainsail furling mast assembly utilizes a mast having a cross section providing a C-shaped outer wall and a transverse wall defining a rearwardly opening compartment in which is disposed a furling element about which the mainsail may be furled. The opening in the mast has a width equal to at least 50 percent of the maximum width of the mast to provide facile access to the compartment. The mast has a boom mounting bracket including a reinforcement portion with a section which extends within the compartment and flange sections which extend forwardly about the outer wall.