Hobie Cat Forums

A local guy is developing "wing sails for the rest of us" after becoming interested in the idea during the last America's Cup. He has put a few on Sunfish and I think one on a Laser. I was out for the latest test using a Hobie Bravo on Saturday and took some pictures and video. I even got to sail it for a little while, so there is onboard video at the end.

This was one of the early Sunfish wings, so is too small for the boat. The main question for Saturday's test was whether he guessed right about where the mast would need to be. He did not, and the boat had some lee helm on upwind headings. So it was kind of slow, but still fun and interesting. Next test will be with a wing designed for the boat and (we hope) located in the right spot.

Video:

Maybe now I can get under the 15' bridge near my house!!!

Short article on my blog site about the Hobie Bravo wing sail test.

We did a second test using a different wing on Wednesday. It was better balanced than the first one. There was more wind, and the boat liked it. The wing did not like it quite as much and had a minor structural failure, causing an early end to the test.

I wish it had held together a bit longer, as the wind picked up some more and I was having a blast in my Adventure Island toward the end of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4RcXy6Wo4Q

Have you had a chance to test the winged Bravo against a standard Bravo?