Kiteboat Project

[Goz]

Looks like a good bit of fun, but I dare say the asking price will be steep

http://project.kiteboat.com/

[sinbad]

Awesome i want one looks super cool

[SoutherlyBuster]

Sure handles the chop and waves well, I guess because the craft rides on the bent fins. 40m^2 kites woha.

[bakersdozen]

Cool!

[Mick14]

Novelty.... Normal sails already work so well. Why would you make sailing more complicated and dangerous than it needs to be by adding a kite?

[Slartibartfast]

I think it really holds potential.

I'm not quite sure that the end goal of the project is but I think there's a possibility it could be a real contender for the world speed sailing record. For the last several years the record contention has been between kite surfers and multi million dollar yachts. Current a highly specific purpose built yacht (if you can even call it that) known as Sail Rocket holds the record. I think the boats have finally pushed the envelope beyond human capability and if the kiters are to get another look in it will need to be in an apparatus possibility not too dis-similar to this. I also don't think it looks too expensive if you compare it to other sail craft of the same ilk. In fact compared to some it looks positively cheep! Of course this is assuming there chancing the speed record.

[Mfwetu]

Novelty.... Normal sails already work so well. Why would you make sailing more complicated and dangerous than it needs to be by adding a kite?

I'd say evidence of the evolution of wind power. 20 years ago kite surfing was considered a novelty.

The wind is a stronger and more stable 100m up than on the surface and kites very like the Nasa wing have been used as modified spinnakers on sailing boats for years (AAPT in Sydney-Hobart 2004). Nowadays foil kites are even being used to assist powered cargo ships.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkySails

http://www.kiteship.com/

Apparently Kiteship are planning a 4650 sq.m foil for oil tankers. Now THAT'S a KITE!