Brilliant Sail Design Innovation

[Delancey]

Flyboys and home-brew self-steering enthusiasts should be kicking themselves, let alone bazillion dollar racing catamaran designers, but in the end leave it to a drone designer.

So obvious, I really am surprised it took so long to figure this one out. Free-rotating wing-sail with a tail plane. Use a little airfoil to control a bigger one. No sheeting, just trim the tab! Duh.

The Drone That Will Sail Itself Around the World | Autopia | Wired.com

[Lee Jerry]

Not a new idea - search for Walker wingsail (about two decades old) and others.

[Delancey]

Totally forgot about that one, duh me. Somehow the drone one seems simpler which threw me. Regardless, seems like an improvement. A better solution.

[lonesoldier0408]

Although great idea for sailing on, "Good days," reefing in a storm, not so much...