The sail and keel elements are positioned so there is virtually no overturning moment and no net vertical lift. As a result, the only significant response to wind gusts is an increase in speed.
“She is a powerful beast of a boat, but the trouble is that the underwater foils we need to use to go extremely fast create a lot of drag. Every time we go for a run we create an enormous tug of war between the wind and the water. The secret will be to reduce the drag, not increase the power. We have to keep experimenting.”
![[Linked Image]](http://www.oceanmagazine.com.au/j/images/_01_oceanlive/Week_14/stage_vestas.jpg)
That looks insane I would love to see it in action. Reminds me of one of those racers from Star Wars. Have you seen the L'Hydroptère it is also a beast reaches 47 knots?
there is a youtube vid of it crashing @ 50kts...i love the skippers attitude!
yep, I remember that, back in 2008 on their first version of sailrocket. Jump to the 4:00 minute mark.
That was with the old Sailrocket, this one is suppose to much safer and a lot faster.
Paul is a great guy. Excellent attitude and alot of fun.
I have been keeping up with this group since the first sailrocket, this round I have been checking daily. This boat is a nasty beast, it's built so the foil actually creates cavitation which essentially releases it from the drag and should allow them to leap forward in speed. right now they are pushing 50kts in mid upper 20s wind speed. The science behind this boat is very cool; take the time to read about the design. Right now they are in the 3rd week of the month long period to set the record. Currently they are stuck at a 50kt hump that they can't seem to get over. The foil isn't ventilating like it should and therefore creating too much drag, over the past two days they have chopped 45cm off the bottom of the foil in an attempt to get it to release. Based on the physics of it all, little of which I truly grasp, once it releases then there should be very little limitation on speed up through 60kts! Like I said this thing is insane! It is designed to beat the kiters for the all out speed record!
They should bolt on a N20 1st Gen rudder, guarantee you it will ventilate!
After all its sailing for Speed World Record
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Read the full video description. Pretty interesting.