Photo and video shoot of the wing sail prototype for Beneteau

[nicolas claris]

Last Tuesday, we performed a session for Beneteau shooting the new wing sail ”Matin Bleu” Beneteau.
Super comparison: a Sense 43 with a Marconi rig (classic) and her sister-ship with a mast and wing sail prototype.
There was brilliant people onboard! Renowned architects and runners ...
10 knots of wind and 2 meters swell, nice conditions to test and compare the behavior of the two boats.
Saying that the wing sail blew us is an understatement. What purity! what simplicity!
Movements much smoother in the sea, slightly higher speed (despite 5 m2 less).
Of course there are still details to be tuned ... A rig for the future? There are a lot of chances.

More pictures soon (and a video!)coming soon ...

 

[nicolas claris]

Be aware, this is not a simple sail ala Sampan!
This is a revolutionary make easy wing sail, a derivative from the research for the America's Cup.
The mast is inside, there is no rigging, the mast stands on the bottom of the hull and goes thru deck.

 

[Tom Robbins]

These are refreshing images, Nicholas. I believe that this is the case for most of your work through the years. The continued refinement of old and time tested technology in the 21st century brings a very welcome ray of hope, especially with regard to climate change and other vexing challenges.

 

[nicolas claris]

Thank youTom for stopping by and your comments!

Some more images:

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[Jerome Marot]

That sail seems to be a pretty clever trick. I am impressed.

 

[nicolas claris]

Yes Jerome, the aim of Bénéteau with such research is to make sailing easier so more people can enjoy. Simplification makes easier.
Thank-you for stopping by and commenting : D

 

[Asher Kelman]

Nicolas,

I've been watching! I just am absorbing the concept of this new sail. Who designed it and what version are you in now? Is it more expensive to make and does it take less manpower to control.

Of course the pictures are all splendid. Do you have any feel for any difference in the steadiness of the boat, or does the wind not vibrate much and most shaking motion comes from the waves.

Asher

 

[nicolas claris]

Hi Asher
$Thank you for stopping by!
I guess this sail will be the last before commercialisation that would not appear -IMhO- before a year or so…
They still have to find the right way to industrialize the gear and prepare hulls to receive the mast.
It is so much more simple that now architects can think of completely different deck layout as there are almost no attachments on deck…
It is very much easier to use than a "standard" Marconi rig (a jib + a mainsail for sloops or cutters).
The advocated aim i to make sailing easy so more people can go sailing (and buy boats), a way to increase the market to more newcomers.
As it is a much lighter system, the center of gravity of the boat is much lower, therefore the boat movements are smoother on the waves and keeping course is easy.
All potential vibrations and shakes are absorbed by the shape and volume of the sail, and the non stiffness of the mast.
A win-win system!

 

[Asher Kelman]

Nicolas,

Has this been covered by patents? This could mean a lot of new business. Can it cut the cost of super-yachts and how efficient is it to compete in races - assuming it's legal!

But they made up new rules for the races in San Francisco. Those boats were not even in the water!

Asher

 

[nicolas claris]

Hi Asher
I don't know about the patent, but knowing Bénéteau, I'm sure it is protected as much as possible!
There are different rules for racing, it depends of each organizers.
The rules in San Francisco are America's cup rules and they can be changed by the winner for each next set of race (every 4 years)…