High speed sailing craft

Abstract

The invention relates to high-speed sailing craft, in particular, high-speed sailing craft that have one or more substantially horizontal airfoils for lifting the craft up from the water and one or more substantially vertical, rotating foils that are generally at least partially submerged in the water for providing tracking or steering. By lifting the craft out of the water, the airfoil allows the craft to travel faster, by reducing the friction of the water on the hull(s) and/or float(s). By rotating, the generally at least partially submerged portions of the vertical foils reduce the friction on the vertical foils. In combination, airfoils and rotating tracking/steering foils have the combined effect of reducing the friction of water on the craft, and improving the speed of the craft.

1 . A sailing craft, comprising: 
 a frame;    a sail connected to frame;    an airfoil affixed to the frame for providing lift; and    a rotating foil attached to the frame for providing tracking, steering, or both.    
   
   
       2 . The craft of  claim 1 , wherein the airfoil is substantially horizontal.  
   
   
       3 . The craft of  claim 2 , wherein the airfoil has the shape of an airplane wing.  
   
   
       4 . The craft of  claim 3 , wherein the airfoil comprises a deck of the craft.  
   
   
       5 . The craft of  claim 3 , wherein the airfoil extends from a side of the craft.  
   
   
       6 . The craft of  claim 4 , wherein the airfoil lifts the craft up from the water, thereby reducing friction as the craft travels through the water.  
   
   
       7 . The craft of  claim 1 , further comprising a second airfoil.  
   
   
       8 . The craft of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating vertical foil comprises a wheel that is attached to the frame.  
   
   
       9 . The craft of  claim 8 , wherein the rotating vertical foil rotates in the direction from the front to the back of the craft, thereby providing tracking.  
   
   
       10 . The craft of  claim 9 , wherein the rotating vertical foil can rotate at a direction that is at an angle from the direction from the front to the back of the craft, thereby providing steering.  
   
   
       11 . The craft of  claim 9 , wherein the foil that rotates at a direction that is at an angle from the direction from the front to the back of the craft can be turned to change the direction of the craft.  
   
   
       12 . The craft of  claim 9 , further comprising a second rotating vertical foil that can be turned, and wherein the one of the vertical foils that can be turned provides tracking and/or steering.  
   
   
       13 . The craft of  claim 1  wherein the sail is affixed to a mast, which mast is affixed to the frame.  
   
   
       14 . The craft of  claim 1  wherein the sail is affixed to a rope, which rope is affixed to the frame.  
   
   
       15 . The craft of  claim 1  further comprising floats affixed to the frame.  
   
   
       16 . The craft of  claim 1  further comprising one or more planing boards affixed to the frame.  
   
   
       17 . The craft of  claim 1  further comprising one or more hulls affixed to the frame.  
   
   
       18 . The craft of  claim 1  further comprising one or more pods affixed to the frame.  
   
   
       19 . A sailing craft having one or more substantially horizontal airfoils for lifting the craft up from the water and one or more substantially vertical, rotating foils that are at least partially submerged in the water for providing tracking or steering.  
   
   
       20 . A sailing craft, comprising: 
 a frame;    a sail connected to frame;    a port-side airfoil for providing lift; and    a starboard-side airfoil for providing lift;    wherein the lift provided by the port-side airfoil and the lift provided by the starboard-side airfoil is adjusted automatically to control tipping.    
   
   
       21 . The sailing craft of  claim 19 , wherein the automatic adjustment is based on distance from the water.