Innovative RC Sailing Contest

Dear RC Racers,

We are participating in a prestigious RC Sailing Contest organized by a collaboration between the Technical University of Delft and the MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands).The organization we present is the Delft University. The aim of the contest is to challenge engineers and students to invent creative ways to sail and of course, to win the race. We are allowed to use 4 servo’s. The race consists of 3 courses. The first course is a straight race with a True Wind Angle of 120 degrees. The second race starts with the same straight course at a TWA of 120 degrees, but the same course has to be sailed in the opposing direction (so at a TWA of 60 degrees). The third race will be a down-wind zig-zag course where the course between the bouys will be between 110 en 120 degrees TWA. The hull can only be made out of balsa wood. The appendages can be made of lead or other metals. There are no restrictions on the material used for the sail. And we should be able to build the project ourselves.

We would like to innovate our design since this contest is held every year and some things have been built a dozen times. We are at the very start of the design process. We are thinking of new concepts and ideas that have never been built before and we would like you guys to participate in this process. Do you have a wild, crazy idea that has never been done before? We have the time and the knowledge to find out if this concept is buildable. We would really appreciate your help!

With kind regards,

4 students Maritime Technology

Here is something for inspiration. Automatic sail sheeting per info from a fixed vane on the boat is illegal in model yacht racing, but it is a winning concept. Do a google search “the model yacht” “volume seven”. Perhaps you can make a modern version of this concept if this is an “anything goes” competition.

The article is titled “Early DX-Class History…” and is a PDF.

At the leading edge of speed, is the Vesta Sailrocket. Unfortunately I don’t think it could be designed to go on both tacks! Foiling multihulls, or just a multihull, are almost as fast, and if you don’t have to go closer than 60* to the wind, are a possibility.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Ev8bMxdR0

around the 2 minute mark. gets moving quick and consistently up on foils…

if it has to be a mono hull, you can have movable balast… AKA canting keels…

This may not be either legal or possible, but a rc kite powered vessel would be impressive.

maybe something like this is never done before:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jD-T4d9ovds/TTUx7Z1MfeI/AAAAAAAAGeA/xN5AebSNSZA/s1600/Billion+Dollar+Yacht.jpg

You are clearly not familiar with Delft’s fine history in aerospace engineering:

No longer the outright record holder, but at least it can tack!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=BlaKy4QFHvM&NR=1

Row