Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally toward sailing vessels. One example is a catamaran with one or more pivoting masts per hull member, which may pivot from a generally perpendicular upright position, to a generally flat stowed position toward the bow of the hulls. The masts are capable of sustaining a plurality of sails, which may travel 180 degrees with respect to the hulls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a “wing” type rigid sail fragmented into independent segments, where general principle involves diving the rigid sail into different segments that can position themselves independently from neighboring segments, depending on the wind received, with the profile of the sail controlled following two independent but complementary methods, where the segments at the front of the sail are linked together by their front flap, through a process that allows adjusting their relative freedom, playing on the angle that each segment can take compared to neighboring segments, and on the back of the “sail sheet”, the rope allowing sail adjustment links each segment by its back flap, top to bottom, allowing for adjustment of the opening up of the sail while keeping the desired flexibility of the sail.

Abstract: A power generation device is adapted to be driven by ocean currents, and includes a craft body unit, a plurality of blade units, a plurality of power generators, and a plurality of sails. The blade units are mounted on the craft body unit, and are adapted to extend into the sea and to be driven rotatably by the ocean currents. The power generators are mounted on the craft body unit and connected respectively to the blade units for converting a kinetic energy of the blade units into electrical energy. The sails are mounted on the craft body unit for capturing the wind to maintain a location of the craft body unit against drifting from a force of the ocean currents applied to the craft body unit.

Abstract: A pivoting mast device is disclosed for pivoting a mast relative to a surface. The pivoting mast device comprises a mast pivot pivotably coupling the mast to the surface. A lower wheel is rotatably coupled adjacent to a proximal end of the mast. An upper wheel is rotatably coupled adjacent to a distal end of the mast. A linkage couples the lower wheel to the upper wheel. A drive is coupled to the lower wheel for displacing the linkage. An upper traveler slideably engages the mast and is coupled to the headstay. A lower traveler slidably engages the mast and is coupled to the linkage. A lowering stay is secured to the surface and the lowering traveler. A mast lowering displacement is defined by the lower traveler and the upper traveler in a descending direction. A mast raising displacement is defined by the lower traveler in a ascending direction.

Abstract: A wind powered craft carrying a generally vertical mast which is rotatable about its vertical axis, having a sail carried by the mast with its bottom edge attached in proximity to the bottom of the mast and extending to an attachment point in proximity to the top of the mast. A generally horseshoe-shaped member having an open end is and extending around said mast. The mast being rotatable within the horseshoe-shaped member. A bearing supported stationary member at the top of the mast is carried by the mast while allowing the mast to rotate. A support stay runs from the horseshoe-shaped member to the bearing supported member to support the horseshoe-shaped member. Additional stays are attached to the horseshoe-shaped member and splayed to attach to opposed sides of the hull of the watercraft. The sail is reefed around the mast through the open end of the horseshoe-shaped member.

Abstract: An inflatable hull including at least one air casing that has two walls placed one over the other. The walls each include a fabric sheet, are connected therebetween by a plurality of connecting wires distributed over the entire surface of the sheets while forming a structure suitable for being inflated to a pressure capable of rigidifying the structure, and are capable of ensuring the buoyancy of the hull separately from any reported buoyancy element. The casing has a first transversely cross-sectional curvature and a second longitudinally cross-sectional curvature that is present over at least the front portion of the casing. One of the walls corresponds to the inside of the curvature, and the other of the walls corresponds to the outside of the curvature. The casing has at least one clip set up such as to form a stem.

Abstract: The present invention entails a canting sailboat sail rig. Mast support struts are attached at one end to the outer edges or railings of the hull(s), to the stern of the mast, and the mast struts attach at the other end to the lower sections of the mast. The mast foot base is attached to a circular track that runs from the centerline of the sailboat outward, toward the edges of the hulls, and upward the bow(s). When the mast foot move outward and upward toward the railing and bow(s) the upper section of the sail tilts or cants in the opposite direction from the mast foot outward direction, creating forward thrust, lift and reduced heeling. A jib can be attached to the head of the mast and the combination canting mainsail and jib can create force, lift and less heeling.

Abstract: Described is a mast for sailing vehicles being divided in a lateral direction into two mirror symmetrical mast profiles (mast halves) (1), which merge at or under the top of the mast, which are placed apart on the base of the mast, and which are curved outward to form arcs or run in a straight manner, wherein the acting forces are transferred via an inner stay (2) and inner spokes (3), so that the stability of the construction is achieved with their arrangement and number and static advantage is achieved. A direct flow onto the mainsail (10) is enabled by the division of the mast into two profiles, wherein the design of the mast halves and the profile shape thereof (8), (9) are preferably carried out in an aerodynamic manner.

Abstract: A mast assembly for a sailing vessel includes a first tubular portion defining an interior and an end, and a second tubular portion defining an interior and an end. The mast assembly also includes a ferrule having a first end disposed within the interior of the first tubular portion, and a second end disposed within the interior of the second tubular portion. An intersection ring is disposed over the ferrule and positioned between the ends of the first and second tubular portions. The intersection ring includes a plurality of apertures formed therein for receiving rigging lines.

Abstract: The boat comprises a rigid shell, and is characterised in that the rigid shell is formed by several sections of shell (1) that are attachable to one another. These sections of shell (1) may preferably be attached to one another by means of coupling profiles (2) which present a transversal profile in the shape of an H; the ends of the two adjacent sections of shell (1) being fitted in the slots which are defined by the H shape, and the boat also comprises closing elements (3), located on the ends of said boat. It allows the transportation of a boat with a rigid shell that has been disassembled, thereby occupying a reduced space.

Abstract: A self-supporting rotary rigging and, more specifically, a rigging that has a circular platform adjacent to the deck of the vessel, which makes it posible to control the rotation of the rigging and to install rotary stays and shrouds, which assists in stabilizing the rigging. The rigging is characterized by the existence of a small common boom securely joined to the base platform and to which are fastened the backstay and forestay, all the aforesaid making the rigging very secure and enabling the backstay and forestay to be capable of downward movement. There is a base crosstree, likewise securely connected to the platform, perpendicular to the stays, and to the end thereof are fastened the shrouds, enabling the later to work at a suitable angle. In addition, there is a tunnel across the lower part of the mast, which allows passage from one side of the rigging to the other.

Abstract: A sailboat has a preferably solid hull with lateral and longitudinal symmetry, a centrally located ring-shaped seat secured to a central portion of the top of an hull, a selectively rotatable carousel being mounted about an outer circumferential wall of said ring-shaped seat, a frame being secured to said carousel for retaining a pair of spaced apart identical sails that slant inward toward one another, a pair of removable selectively rotatable cylindrical booms being positioned on the frame with an associated halyard system for controllably furling and allowing easy reefing of the pair of sails, a pair of selectively removable rotatable hydrofoils each serving as a rudder and centerboard projecting downward from the bottom of and proximate the ends of the hull, a steering wheel being secured to the hull at the center of the ring-shaped seat and linked to each of the hydrofoils, whereby the carousel can be selectively rotated to position the sails at any desired angular position relative to the direction of t

Abstract: As one non-limiting example, a foldable mast assembly for a sailing vessel is provided. The foldable mast assembly includes a lower mast section; an intermediate mast section having a lower end foldably coupled to an upper end of the lower mast section; an upper mast section having a lower end foldably coupled to an upper end of the intermediate mast section; and a boom coupled to the lower mast section. A locking device internal the mast assembly is also provided to inhibit folding of the mast assembly.

Abstract: A system for sailing windward, which includes a moveable track fixture, a fixed track configured to receive the track fixture, and a control system for securing the location of the track fixture within the fixed track relative to a bow of a sailboat. The system can also include a retractable solar panel system, which is attached to a nautical stay, wherein the stay is fixed at one end to a hull of the sailboat and at a second end to a mast of the sailboat. The solar panel system includes a plurality of solar panels, which are attached to a system for stacking the plurality of solar panels when not in use. In an alternative embodiment, the sailboat can include an extendable keel, which includes a moveable inner member positioned within the fixed keel and a control system for lowering or retracting the inner member.

Abstract: A lateen rigged sailing vessel having a mast; a luffspar; a boom; a pair of lateral struts; and a lateen sail, has a lower end of the mast mounted forward on the vessel and positioned on the vessel's longitudinal center line in a canted fashion raked aft. The boom is rotationally supported in a lower journal fixedly engaged medially on the vessel at the center line. The luffspar is joined pivotally with a forward end of the boom and, when rigged for sailing is positioned below and in parallel with the mast. The luffspar is rotationally supported in an upper journal wherein the upper journal, upper end of the mast, and upper ends of the pair of lateral struts are all engaged in a common fixture held in place by the mast and the lateral struts. The upper and lower journals are arranged on a common journal center line. The lower ends of the lateral struts are engaged with the vessel at the port and starboard gunnels. The sail is engaged along a luff edge with the luffspar and along a toe edge with the boom.

Abstract: An assembly for converting a non-sailing boat to a sailboat comprises a sailing keel adapted to be removably attached to the keel of a boat, a first and a second support frame, one or more straps connected on a first end to the sailing keel and connected on a second end to one or both of the first and second support frames, a steering support frame, and a rudder attached to the steering support frame or stern of the boat. The first and second support frames and steering support frame are adapted to extend across the boat from one side of the boat to an opposite side, and the first support frame is adapted to support a mast in an essentially vertical position. A method for converting a non-sailing boat to a sailboat utilizing this assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-functional sailboard includes a body having a seating section and a dagger. A mast section is connected to the bow of the body and is movable between raised and lowered positions. The mast section includes a stationary mast and a movable mast. The two may be coupled together and slide along a substantially vertical path. The mast section is maintained by a halyard tied to a cleat and a hook and loop fastener is attached to the sail that secures it to the movable mast. A back rest extends upward from the body. A sculling section is secured to the body and includes a traveler, an eye clip, and a cord connected to the eye clip and rudder. The sculling section also includes a spring connected to the rudder and back rest. The rudder returns to an equilibrium position when moved from side-to-side.

Abstract: A “V”-shaped sail is mounted to flexible tubular members. The tubular members are permitted to flex as wind speed increases. This lowers the effective center of effort and the area of the sail and increases the stability of vessels and vehicles to which the sail is mounted without the need for operator involvement. The sail frame is mounted to a “Y” shaped yoke having a cylindrical stem. The stem is inserted into a locking base that permits rotation of the stem in 30 degree increments while preventing the stem from being removed from the anchor while the sail is set at an operating angle. The locking base can be mounted permanently or temporarily to the vessel and vehicle. One unique aspect of this invention is that no lines (sheets) or similar apparatus are required for any operational function of raising, lowering or sailing this sail kit.

Abstract: A method of operating a sailing boat is provided, comprising detecting a force of a mast of a sailing boat on a mast step of a hull of the sailing boat, while the sailing boat is sailing across a body of water, and providing a reading of the force.

Abstract: A wind-propelled vehicle, particularly a multi-hulled sailing vessel, in which instead of mast, the upper spar (14) of the sail (13) is supported from a carrier (13) which moves athwart the vessel in a track in the form of an arch (16).

Abstract: A sailboat with a planning hull and a mast stepped aft of amidship. The mail sail and foresails are loose footed and attached to a midstay and forestay respectively. The mast is angled towards the rear of the boat and the resultant configuration eliminates the downward force conventional sail configuration imparts on the sailboat. The sailboat has a keel however does not use ballast.