We’ve wrestled for years with the issue of a back up propulsion system, and have covered this in detail in previous blogs. Simply put, the odds are if you lose power the odds are it will be due to fuel problems or damage to the drive line, both of which put get home engines out as well.
So we have concentrated on a system which could, under the right conditions, get us across an ocean without using fuel or a prop.
In a previous post we showed you a rough concept prototype sail cut fro tarp material. Now we have the real thing, 45 square meters/475 square feet of sail area flown off the end of the boom and tacked to the foremast.
This is obviously not a high performance rig, but in ten knots of breeze a few days ago it was moving Avatar at 1.5 to two knots, and she was holding course with the autopilot.
There is still lots of testing to do, but the prognosis is favorable.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 23, 2010)
May 26th, 2010 at 5:34 am
interesting but why not a parachute/kite style wing sail like are used for kite boarding/surfing etc now going commercial with the sky sail http://www.skysails.info/english/
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Steve Dashew Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Hi David:
The Owners of Avatar are keen kiters and are looking into this. In terms of ocean crossing the issue is automatic control, launching, and retrieval. If these can be handled, kites would offer a lot more than just a get home system, and we have the perfect place for the thrust line at the bow fairlead.
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