Soft wing sails in America's cup 2021

Discussion in 'Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics' started by schakel, Dec 17, 2019.

?

How many of you think softwing sails are not enough for the AC75 monohull foiler

Poll closed Jul 17, 2020.
  1. Yes, The hardwings on the AC75, 45 and 50's are way more efficient

    50.0%
  2. No, they didn't make the choice for soft wing sails for nothing

    50.0%
  1. schakel
    Joined: Jul 2008
    Posts: 386
    Likes: 16, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 48
    Location: the netherlands

    schakel environmental project Msc

    Widely spread through all of the teams now on the water for the next cup are wingsails.
    Two sails over each other that create a profile compared to a airplane wing.
    Battens are essential since they bend the sail in the desired profile.
    First there was testing:
    test platform rig luna rossa.png
    Then all the four teams are sailing and foiling at high speed with sprays behind their foils never been seen before.
    nzchase3.thumb.jpg.5f16cc9a53efc330766557882f0213a7.jpg.45b8331e9b802724737bc07efefb51e1.jpg
    soft wing sail defiant 2.png
    deck sweeper main.PNG
     
  2. fishwics
    Joined: Mar 2004
    Posts: 33
    Likes: 1, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: UK

    fishwics Quiet member

    1. Yes, The hardwings on the AC75, 45 and 50's are likely to be more efficient
    2. No, they didn't make the choice for soft wing sails for nothing - as managing hard sails when not actually sailing is a PITA.
    ... and your concern is?
     
  3. schakel
    Joined: Jul 2008
    Posts: 386
    Likes: 16, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 48
    Location: the netherlands

    schakel environmental project Msc

    The soft wing sails are a revolution in my opinion:
    It's a comparison in aerodynamics and "handling when not sailing".
    You needed an army to get the wing going was the expression.
    1095683453_ac72lunarossawingsail.jpg.b90c577dddb67193fbd167f459126831.jpg
    Yesterday New Zealand capsized, In the time of hard wings this leaded mostly to damage to the wing.
    This time there was no damage at all.
    EmiratesTeamNZ on Twitter https://twitter.com/i/status/1207446810127519744
    image.png.40aabb85c49c214d3652036527a7f070.png
    The AC75 claims to be self rightning but that feature wasn't available yet.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2019
  4. fishwics
    Joined: Mar 2004
    Posts: 33
    Likes: 1, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: UK

    fishwics Quiet member

    Double-surface soft sails are not actually new - they were around decades ago (Ljungstom, Hasler) but these are probably the most sophisticated yet in terms of control.
     

  5. schakel
    Joined: Jul 2008
    Posts: 386
    Likes: 16, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 48
    Location: the netherlands

    schakel environmental project Msc

    But they are new in the America's Cup. The cup is what fashion shows in Paris, London and New York are.
    It leads to a new fashion.. I have high hopes for soft wing sails.
    The application of foils is increased after the cup started with foils.
    UFO foiler is great succes, hope to see a spin-off like this with softwing sails.


    The teams are silent about how they control the soft wing sails.
    I am planning to follow this new development.
     
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