Flexible Arch Mast and Sail

Abstract

A mast system for use with a sailing vessel including a flexible mast connected to a first point of the sailing vessel; a tether connected to a second point of the sailing vessel, the tether being further connected to the flexible mast, wherein the lengths of the tether and the flexible mast are sized to pull the flexible mast into an arch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mast system for use with a sailing vessel, comprising:
 a flexible mast connected to a first point of the sailing vessel;   a tether connected to a second point of the sailing vessel, the tether being further connected to the flexible mast, wherein the lengths of the tether and the flexible mast are sized to pull the flexible mast into an arch.   
     
     
         2 . The mast system of  claim 1 , wherein the tether is connected to an intermediate point of the flexible mast, the intermediate point of flexible mast being located between a first end of the flexible mast and a second end of the flexible mast. 
     
     
         3 . The mast system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sail connected to flexible mast at a first connection point. 
     
     
         4 . The mast system of  claim 3 , wherein the sail is further connected to flexible mast at a second connection point, wherein the first connection point and second connection point are located at different points along the longitudinal axis of the sailing vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The mast system of  claim 4 , wherein the first connection point and the second connection point defines, at least in part, a head of the sail. 
     
     
         6 . The mast system of  claim 1 , wherein the mast is connected to the sailing vessel with a detachable connector. 
     
     
         7 . The mast system of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of flexible mast is circular, oval, or polygonal. 
     
     
         8 . The mast system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexibility of the flexible mast varies along its length. 
     
     
         9 . The mast system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible mast is comprised of a plurality of telescoping segments. 
     
     
         10 . The mast of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible mast is connected to the sailing vessel by a detachable base, the detachable base further comprising a rudder. 
     
     
         11 . A method for assembling a mast system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a sailing vessel and a flexible mast connected to the sailing vessel;   bending the flexible mast into an arched configuration; and   connecting the flexible mast to a tether to retain the flexible mast in the arched configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tether is connected to an intermediate point of the flexible mast, the intermediate point of flexible mast being located between a first end of the flexible mast and a second end of the flexible mast. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further providing a sail connected to flexible mast at a first connection point. 
     
     
         14 . The mast system of  claim 13 , wherein the sail is further connected to flexible mast at a second connection point, wherein the first connection point and second connection point are located at different points along the longitudinal axis of the sailing vessel. 
     
     
         15 . The mast system of  claim 14 , wherein the first connection point and the second connection point defines, at least in part, a head of the sail. 
     
     
         16 . The mast system of  claim 11 , wherein the mast is connected to the sailing vessel with a detachable connector. 
     
     
         17 . The mast system of  claim 11 , wherein a cross-section of flexible mast is circular, oval, or polygonal. 
     
     
         18 . The mast system of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible mast is comprised of a plurality of telescoping segments. 
     
     
         19 . The mast of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible mast is connected to the sailing vessel by a detachable base, the detachable base further comprising a rudder. 
     
     
         20 . A method for steering a sailing vessel, comprising the steps of:
 providing a sailing vessel and a flexible mast fixed at a first end to the sailing vessel such that the flexible mast is held upright with respect to the sailing vessel;   providing a sail connected to the flexible mast, the sail being further connected to the sailing vessel, wherein the flexible mast and sail together define a vertical plane; and   tilting the sail out of the vertical plane such that the sailing vessel is steered in a desired direction.