> Hydrofoils, according to the team, aren't suitable for this gig, since the low-pressure zone caused by these underwater wings causes water to boil into vapor at high speeds in a process called cavitation, causing dangerous levels of drag and instability at speeds over about 60 mph (~100 km/h).
Well that answered my first question
saberience•8mo ago
It’s not really a sailboat though, it’s something different. As a sailor I’m hesitant to call this “sailing”.
For a start, it doesn’t have a mast or a sail, it has a parachute.
You could call it the world’s fastest wind powered boat I suppose, but it’s not a sailboat.
londons_explore•8mo ago
What was the wind speed? And what angle to the wind is this done at?
gtani•8mo ago
Years ago, i visited a well funded project to generate power from (I think) similar kites, high aspect ratio front rams, I'll have to ask what happened to them.
metalman•8mo ago
klooney•8mo ago
Well that answered my first question