Patent ID: 8104415
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A sailboat comprising: a hull, a keel, and a rudder; a sail assembly comprising a pair of opposing upper and lower ends, a leading edge extending between the opposing ends, and a trailing edge extending between the opposing ends; support means supporting the sail assembly, the support means comprising a support structure supporting the sail assembly for rotation about an axis inclined relative to vertical and offset from the hull such that the plane defined by the line of action of the aerodynamic force of the sail assembly as it is rotated about the inclined axis passes substantially through the center of effort of the keel, the support structure comprising an upper rotary joint mounting the upper end of the sail assembly to the support structure and a lower rotary joint mounting the lower end of the sail assembly to the support structure, the rotary joints positioned to allow unobstructed rotation of the sail assembly fully through 360 degrees about the inclined axis; mounting means mounting at least part of the support structure together with the sail assembly and the inclined axis for rotation relative to the hull about a vertical axis; and, control means for controlling the angular orientation of the sail assembly about the inclined axis.