Fastest Sailboat on the Planet!

I have had a GPS reading showing a "Peak Speed" on my bicycle at over 48mph, recorded during a ride where I know my speed never exceeded 25 mph.

I could photograph that reading and post it on the internet. That would "prove" I had done the speed.

 

Money Shot

Yeah, it kind of had me wondering why the crash sequence was not shown :?:

 

I still want to see a race
B

 

For those of you into a little history here is a picture of Alain Thebault and Eric Tabarly with the first RC test model of Hydroptere! Years ago-just shows the role vision-and models can play......

 

You are correct, Doug, they (models) can play a role, but unless something is built, sailed and rigorously tested that is more like full-size, they remain... just models.

When I was a kid, I built dozens of flying aircraft from kits and even from scratch. Does that, then, make me an aeronautical visionary? Nope, it simply means that I was a self-motivated and precocious kid with a talent for model making. I have never built, nor have I ever designed, a full sized flying machine. So, the models remain, just models.

 

I thought it was pretty cool
made my share of model airplanes myself
wrecked most of em
but hey thats half the fun

still think you guys should organize a race

have a great holidays folks
B

 

Hydroptere: 61 knots(70.1 mph) Peak!

Video of the tow and the righting:

http://www.zerogradinord.net/vela/multiscafi/buon-2009-dallhydroptere/

 

Wish I could spend as much on a boat as these guys spend on a video! Nice to see her back on her flippers though.

 

Hydroptere: 61 knots(70.1 mph) Peak!

Reply from Team Hydroptere:
"Dear Doug,


Thank you for your email.


We are sorry but we don't have any videos of the crash. You can find on our website some pictures and videos of the boat just after.


Best regards,


Mélie Décla"

 

any damage assessment yet
Im curious how well the boat survived

once again
glad all the guys did

best
B

 

I imagine they can scratch the mast since the diver was wading around the boat before it she turned over, and for sure she wil require going over with a fine tooth comb before she sails again even if the mast etc is all that is lost. I will be very suprised if the outriggers are not cracked too.

I don't know how long a boat of this kind and size takes to repair, maybe Doug could take a guess; we are surely talking several months.

 

ya I think you can kiss the mast goodbye
the boom is probably done as well

other than that
could be anything

just have to wait and see

 

Hydroptere 61 knots!

Here is a good picture of Hydropteres rudder and rudder foil tips as well as the fences on the main foils(from BYM):

 

Hydroptere 61knots(70.15mph)!

Hydroptere plans on being back in the water by mid-April...

 

What's the status, Doug? The team seem to be experimenting with a smaller boat: have they scrapped the old one?