I would like to talk with someone experienced with sailing rigid wing boats. I'm looking to get an understanding of how you determine the correct trim for a rigid wing as opposed to a "tradtional" sail.

-Greg

Try Steve Clark at Vanguard Boats, sometimes found on Sailing Anarchy.

There are only 1 or 2 wing boats in the country, "Cogito" and the last "Patient Lady".

I have no experience with such boats. Pull the sheet until you go and stop when you are starting to slow down? would be my guess.

(actually I hope you get an answer maybe I will build a wing for my I20 and see how it works.)

cool...much smaller investment but I'm in the process of choosing/designing a wing for my 1 meter R/C catamaran "Zig 'n' Zag". The boat was built by a friend of mine who is an avid monohuller...as evident by the rigging. I helped with hull and board placement but I couldn't seem to influence the rigging (it's got a backstay for god's sake).

I couldn't get my dog Gunther to get out of the shot at the time.

Thanks. I was able to track down an old friend who I had lost touch with that has sailed rigid wing cats so think I'm on my way.

-Greg

sweet! keep us posted!

I would expect that you will want to monitor the airflow on the surface of the lee side of the wing. Maintaining attached flow to a foil is the key to lift success.

Exacly the same thing that you do with tell tales on a sail. You might use some sophistated devices or you may use tell tales. Either way, you need to monitor the airflow over the foil and your eyes can not see air molecules so you will need to depend upon a visual tansducer of some kind.

GARY
pragmatist

My cruising catamaran, Millennium Dragon, was to have a rigid wing sail but I ran out of R&D time. The idea was to simplify sail handling. She now has a hydraulically operated rotating mast and out haul. No mainsheet or vang. The R&D is still underway, at a slower pace. I have built 3 small trimarans (KHSD) and fitted the last one with 2" Harken rudder bearings to hold the wing spar. I am about to start construction on the wing but need to finalize details. The Trimaran configuration allows separation of 2 bearing in the main hull and elimination of side stays. The wing will rotate 360 degrees, angle of attack constant and controlled by tail feathers. The boat is steered under the wing. The beach catamaran configuration would be lighter but would require side stays, a main sheet and eliminate the safety of 360 degree rotation. Keep me posted on how you are doing and any advice conserning wing construction.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to see some pics of your custom cats/tris if you've got any. Any chance you can post some on the forum?

Schobiedoo.