looks awkward.

Probably be a bitch to waterstart

Like the deep fried Mars Bar the wing sail combined two really good things, windsurfing and hang gliding and came up with an invention that occupies its own curious and diminishing niche.

I wonder at what point the inventor realised the he was not going to be the next Hoyle Schweitzer/Jim Drake and moved on to other things, and has the patent expired?

If so, someone else should get in there and revive the idea, add some micro jets or hydrofoils or something, ......

Al Planet said...



I wonder at what point the inventor realised the he was not going to be the next Hoyle Schweitzer/Jim Drake and moved on to other things, and has the patent expired?

If so, someone else should get in there and revive the idea, add some micro jets or hydrofoils or something, ......

US Patent 4682557 granted 28 July 1987. Would have expired 17 years from the date of grant, so 28 July 2004.
Sailing wing
Abstract
A sailboard with a wing-like sail pivoted to the top of a mast for free roll motion but constrained against pitch. The wing may have a leading edge flap. The wing is made from a sail stretched on a space frame which is demountable for compact storage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventors: Magruder; Thomas A. (El Cerrito, CA), Crowell; Robert L. (Boone, NC)
Appl. No.: 06/817,846
Filed: December 5, 1985


www.freepatentsonline.com/4682557.pdf

That's an old Wind Weapon!! Created in the Gorge over in the US in the early 90's. So bl__dy windy over there and the current runs against the wind direction so super steep chop to jump.

Be interesting to see what a new one could do with an epoxy board, carbon mast and proper cambered sails. They'd be at least 10-15kgs lighter.

Looks like the first version of a "Kite Wing" that is attached to the board..

www.kitewing.com

qldnacra said...

Good guys on a normal windsurfer get more air than that and it must feel awesome if you jam your finger between the boom and the mast just below the pivot when holding the bottom boom.

+ 1

TurtleHunter said...

I know someone with one. After nearly killing himself and everyone who tried it it's now on the wall in the toy shed never to be used again

Photos? Video? [}:)]

i would give it a good go, just for a laugh

This is what they are made for! I built one when I saw this clip!