WO2007009740A1

WO2007009740A1 - Sailing boat with simplified sail plan

Info

Publication number: WO2007009740A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/007035
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Vallicelli; Alessandro Nazareth
Original assignee: A. Vallicelli & C.-A.V.C. S.R.L.
Priority date: 2005-07-18
Filing date: 2006-07-18
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Also published as: ITMI20051362A1

Abstract

A sailing boat with simplified sail plan comprises a hull (12) carrying a mast (13, 113) that can be fitted with at least one sail (14, 14'), in which the mast (13, 113) is positioned close to a stern end (15) of the hull (12) and in which the at least one sail (14, 14') is a foresail fixed onto a stay (18, 18') .

Description

SAILING BOAT WITH SIMPLIFIED SAIL PLAN

The present invention refers to a sailing boat with simplified sail plan. Conventional sailing boats equipped with Marconi foresail and mainsail, like sloop, cutter and ketch, are provided with a mast positioned in a central area of the hull. The sail plan, for example of sloops, comprises a mainsail fixed onto the mast and connected to a boom and a foresail, fixed onto the forestay.

In addition, cutters are provided with a second foresail rigged on a bow stay, the so-called jib stay.

Sailing boats such as ketches, on the other hand, are provided with a second mast further aft than the first on which a further mainsail is fixed through a relative boom.

The conventional sail plans described above have some operative and aerodynamic drawbacks, which can only be partially solved. For example, the central position of the mast with respect to the hull substantially reduces the living conditions both of the main deck and of the inside of the boat. Moreover, the keel stepped mast represents a possible way for water to get inside the hull. The presence of the boom also clutters the working deck and requires that the crew be very careful, above

i all when manoeuvring.

The numerous adjustments to be carried out on the mast, through the shrouds, and on the sails, in particular on the mainsail, are laborious and require expensive rigging on deck, for example vangs, sheets and relative travellers.

Moreover, the reduction of the surface of the mainsail, which on cruisers can be carried out in different ways, for example through furling or reefs, is in any case a laborious operation and is difficult for one person to carry out by himself, above all in difficult weather conditions.

Finally, in terms of aerodynamics, the working conditions of the mainsail are not optimal since the presence of the mast, arranged up-wind of the mainsail itself in close hauling, creates vertices that disturb the airflow on the sail worsening its aerodynamic performance .

In free sailing, on the other hand, the mainsail partially covers the foresail, to a large extent frustrating the thrusting effect. The alternative, consisting of tackling sailing downwind by sailing goosewinged, requires great care in controlling the boat and great directional stability. The purpose of the present invention is to make a sailing boat with simplified sail plan that solves the technical drawbacks outlined above.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make a sailing boat with simplified sail plan that offers good safety and reliability conditions. Another purpose of the present invention is to make a sailing boat with simplified sail plan that is particularly simple and functional, with low costs.

These purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by making a sailing boat with simplified sail plan as outlined in claim 1.

Further characteristics are foreseen in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of a sailing boat with simplified sail plan according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, referring to the attached schematic drawings in which: figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side view and a front view of a sailing boat with simplified sail plan object of the present invention according to a first embodiment ; figure 3 shows the sailing boat of figure 1 with sail partially reduced; figure 4 is a schematic view from above of the effect of the wind on the sailing boat of figure 1; figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of a sailing boat with simplified sail plan object of the present invention equipped with two furling sails; figures 6 and 7 are respectively a side view and a front view of a sailing boat with simplified sail plan object of the present invention according to a second embodiment; figure 8 shows an enlarged detail of a mast with diverging spars of the sailing boat of figure 6; figure 9 schematically shows the application of removable covers or awnings to the sailing boat of figure 6 ; figure 10 shows a further embodiment 10' ' of the sailing boat with simplified sail plan, object of the present invention; figure 11 shows, in an enlarged detail, a circuit for manoeuvring the sheet of the sail of the boat of figure 10.

With reference to the figures, a sailing boat with simplified sail plan is shown, wholly indicated with 10, 10', 10'' or 100 and comprising a hull 12 carrying a mast 13 or 113 that can be fitted out with at least one sail 14, in which the mast is positioned close to a stern end 15 of the hull 12. According to two first embodiments of the boat 10, 10' and the further embodiment 10' ' shown for example in particular in figures 1, 5, as well as 10, the boat comprises a hull 12 equipped, close to the stern end 15, with a mast 13 with conventional geometry, of the type already available on the market, i.e. comprising at least one pair of crosstrees 16 and of shrouds 17.

According to a further embodiment shown in particular in figures 6 and 7, the boat 100 is equipped in the stern area 15 with a mast 113 with diverging spars without vertical shrouds. According to the embodiments of the sailing boat with simplified sail plan, object of the present invention, the mast 13 or 113, arranged in the stern area, is suitably inclined for correct centring with the centreboard plan and is connected with a stay 18, bound at a bow end 19 of the hull 12, as well as with a backstay 33.

The mast 13 or 113 allows a monosail 14 to be fitted out, consisting of a foresail, for example furling, fixed onto the forestay 18, provided with a foresail furling device (not shown) , and adjustable through one or more sheets 11 according to known methods .

The sail plan made up of the monosail 14 has a surface equivalent to that of a conventional sail plan with Marconi mainsail and foresail. The furling foresail can be partially reduced as shown schematically in figure 3.

With the configuration of the stern mast it is also possible to design a sail plan with two stays and two separate sails, in which the second sail is also a foresail that is adjustable through one or more sheets

11.

In figure 5 the sailing boat 10' object of the present invention is shown, which as an example and not for limiting purposes is depicted with a conventional mast 13, provided with a further foresail, for example furling, 14' fixed onto a second stay 18' fixed on deck in a position between the forestay 18 and the mast.

This configuration allows aerodynamic advantages to be obtained in close hauling, due to the air channel that is created between the two sails, i.e. the so- called "slot effect".

Moreover, on large boats this configuration can make it easier to reduce the sail surface, in particular in strong wind conditions, by furling one foresail 14 and 14' at a time. This configuration allows more adjustments of the sails to be carried out and allows greater aerodynamic efficiency. Indeed, it is possible to use a single full sail obtaining a suitable thrusting surface not penalised by the reduction carried out through jib furler.

In both cases the arrangement of the mast 13 or 113 aft with respect to the sail plan has aerodynamic advantages since the vortices produced by the mast itself do not hit any sail, as exemplified in figure 4.

The mast with diverging spars 113, shown in particular in figures 6 and 7, comprises two splayed spars 20 joined together at an upper vertex 21, connected through connection beams 22, bound on deck at the right and left tacks of the hull 12.

The position on deck of the bindings of the two spars 20 in the vicinity of the tacks 23 allows the stresses resulting from the working loads of the sail plan to be distributed, directly on the tacks 23 of the boat.

The spars 20 have a wing-shaped section to reduce the aerodynamic resistance and to increase the longitudinal inertia of the spars 20 themselves.

The two spars 20 and the connection beams 22 are hollow structures that can be made from advanced composite materials or light aluminium alloy. The connection beams 22, which vary in number and size in relation to the height of the mast 113 and the maximum overall surface of the sail plan, can be arranged horizontal, i.e. parallel to the deck, or else even inclined. According to what is shown in figure 8, a lower connection beam 22 carries a transversal rail 24, or main traveller, on which a traveller 25 for adjusting the sheet 11 of the sail 14 is applied.

Two blocks 26 are for example bound on the traveller 25 forming, together with a third block 27 fixed to a clew 28 of the sail 14, the circuit of the sheet 11 for a self-tacking foresail. The sheet 11 has a fixed point 29 at one end of the rail 24 and at the opposite end has a relay point 30 towards a winch 31, for example passing inside a hollow portion of one of the two spars 20 of the mast 113.

Moreover, the lower connection beam 22 can be equipped with supports, not shown, for mounting removable covers or awnings 32, as shown as an example in figure 9. Figure 10 shows the further embodiment 10' ' of the sailing boat with simplified sail plan, object of the present invention, in which ahead of the mast 13, of the conventional type, an arch-shaped support structure 34 is arranged, a so-called "roll-bar" . As shown in detail in figure 11, the roll-bar 34 has the rail 24 carrying the traveller 25 for adjusting the sheet 11 of the sail 14 applied to it. The circuit for the sheet 11 of the foresail 14, self-tacking, is structurally and functionally analogous to the one described in relation to figure 8.

The sheet 11, which is fixed to the fixed point 29 at one end of the rail 24, is relayed to two blocks 26 fixed to the traveller 25 and to a third block 27 fixed to the clew 28 of the sail 14.

At the opposite end of the rail 24 the relay point 30 towards the winch 31, passing for example inside a hollow portion of the roll-bar 34, is foreseen.

Moreover, the roll-bar 34 can be used as a seat for a cover 32', for example retractable, arranged ahead and/or aft of the roll-bar 34 itself. In figure 10 the retractable cover 32' has been schematised with a broken line according to a dual configuration ahead and aft of the mast 13. In figure 11, on the other hand, it is shown arranged aft of the mast 13.

The sailing boat with simplified sail plan object of the present invention has numerous operative, architectonic, aerodynamic and economic advantages.

Indeed, the furling and unfurling operations of the monosail can advantageously be carried out through a simple jib furler, reducing the deck rigging, such as furling, boom, vang and sheets, and the relative costs.

The elimination of the boom also advantageously increases safety on deck.

Moreover, the rigging for adjusting and manoeuvring sails, including those at the heels of the mast, is arranged at the end of the yacht making the working deck clear. A further advantage of a sailing boat with simplified sail plan object of the present invention is linked to the better living conditions of the main deck and of the inside of the boat. This advantageously allows architectonic configurations that are freer in the areas generally more used both on deck and inside the boat .

The mast with diverging spars also has the advantage of having simplified adjustment, not being provided with vertical shrouds.

Moreover, such a type of mast with spars in diverging position allows the working deck to be clear in the central part with great benefits in terms of better living conditions of the main deck and of the inside of the boat.

In the sailing boat with simplified sail plan, object of the present invention, rigging, such as the rail of the traveller for adjusting the sheet of the sail, for example self-tacking, are advantageously integrated into the mast with diverging spars or else arranged on an arch-shaped support structure, or roll- bar, and therefore placed far away in height from the working deck. This solution increases the safety of the crew and of the passengers and allows the working deck and the cockpits to be better exploited.

The sailing boat with simplified sail plan object of the present invention thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variations, all of which are covered by the invention; moreover, all of the details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to the technical requirements .

Ii

Claims

1. Sailing boat with simplified sail plan comprising a hull (12) carrying a mast (13, 113) that can be fitted with at least one sail (14, 14')/ characterised in that said mast (13, 113) is positioned close to a stern end (15) of said hull (12) and in that said at least one sail (14, 14') is a foresail fixed onto a stay (18, 18').

2. Sailing boat according to claim 1, characterised in that said sail plan comprises just one sail (14) , said sail (14) being a foresail fixed onto a forestay (18) .

3. Sailing boat according to claim 2, characterised in that said one sail (14) has a surface equivalent to that of a conventional sail plan with mainsail and foresail.

4. Sailing boat according to claim 1, characterised in that said sail plan comprises a second sail (14'), said second sail (14') being a further foresail fixed onto a second stay (18') fixed on deck in a position between said forestay (18) and said mast (13, 113) .

5. Sailing boat according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one stay (18, 18') is provided with a foresail furling device.

6. Sailing boat according to claim 1, characterised in that said mast (13) is a conventional mast comprising at least one pair of crosstrees (16) and of shrouds (17) .

7. Sailing boat according to claim 1, characterised in that said mast (113) comprises two diverging spars (20) joined at an upper vertex (21) .

8. Sailing boat according to claim 7, characterised in that said spars (20) are further joined through at least one connection beam (23) .

9. Sailing boat according to claim 7, characterised in that each of said spars (20) is bound on deck close to right and left tacks (23) of said hull (12) .

10. Sailing boat according to claim 7, characterised in that said spars (20) have a wing- shaped section.

11. Sailing boat according to claim 7, characterised in that said spars (20) are hollow structures .

12. Sailing boat according to claim I₁ characterised in that said spars (20) can be made from advanced composite materials or aluminium alloy.

13. Sailing boat according to claim 8, characterised in that said at least one connection beam (23) is a hollow structure.

14. Sailing boat according to claim 8, characterised in that said at least one connection beam (23) can be made from advanced composite materials or aluminium alloy.

15. Sailing boat according to claim 8, characterised in that a lower connection beam (23) carries a transversal rail (24) for a traveller (25) for adjusting a sheet (11) of said sail (14, 14') .

16. Sailing boat according to claim 15, characterised in that said sheet (11) is arranged according to a self-tacking circuit comprising a fixed point (29) at one end of said rail (24) , two blocks

(26) fixed to said traveller (25) , a further block (26) fixed to a clew (28) of the sail (14, 14') and a relay point (30) to a winch (31) at the opposite end of the rail (24) .

17. Sailing boat according to claim 15, characterised in that said sheet (11) is relayed inside a hollow portion of one of said two spars (20) .

18. Sailing boat according to claim 7, characterised in that a lower connection beam (23) carries supports for removable covers or awnings (32) .

19. Sailing boat according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an arch-shaped support structure (34) arranged ahead of said mast (13), said arch-shaped support structure (34) carrying a transversal rail (24) for a traveller (25) for adjusting a sheet (11) of said sail (14, 14').

20. Sailing boat according to claim 19, characterised in that said sheet (11) is arranged according to a self-tacking circuit comprising a fixed point (29) at one end of said rail (24) , two blocks (26) fixed to said traveller (25), a further block (26) fixed to a clew (28) of the sail (14, 14') and a relay point (30) to a winch (31) at the opposite end of the rail (24).

21. Sailing boat according to claim 19, characterised in that it comprises a retractable cover (32') applied ahead and/or aft of said arch-shaped support structure (34) .

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