Patent ID: 6918346
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
1. A water craft, comprising a floating body, drift means adapted to generate a lateral resistance effect for opposing leeward drift, and a rig which comprises: at least one steerable kite forming a sail, a series of control sheets for controlling the sail and connected to the craft, the series of control sheets comprising at least one main traction sheet and at least two directional sheets, trimming means for three-dimensionally trimming the axis of the traction resultant exerted by the sail on the craft so that it is possible to eliminate heeling substantially completely, said trimming means comprising both positioning means for positioning the sail relative to the longitudinal axis of the craft that are adapted to hold the traction sheet in a desired direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the craft and that include at least one guide member substantially at a point for guiding the traction sheet and for applying the traction from the traction sheet to the craft, and also adjustment means for adjusting the angular position of the sail relative to the wind that include the directional sheets, said positioning and adjustment means being adapted to set the course of the craft relative to the apparent wind, optionally on their own, with said guide member situated above the water level, regardless of the point of sailing of the craft, and launching means for deploying the sail and for bringing it back down, which comprise a launching sheet connecting the leading edge of the steerable kite to the craft and an auxiliary kite connected to the leading edge of the steerable kite.