A sail includes at least three sides, namely two longitudinal sides respectively called luff and leach, as well as a lower transverse side called foot consisting of an assembly of panels having transverse edges parallel to the foot and longitudinal edges parallel to the luff and the leach, each panel being hinged to the adjoining panel around an axis parallel to the foot. Each of the panels includes reinforcing elements distributed into the two following groups: (a) a first group in which they extend parallel and in proximity to said transverse edges, and (b) a second group in which they extend parallel and in proximity to the longitudinal edges of the panel. They are connected two by two by connection parts in the continuation of the reinforcing elements of the second group, so that the forces assumed by the reinforcing elements are transmitted longitudinally from one panel to another.

A sail includes at least three sides, namely two longitudinal sides respectively called luff and leach, as well as a lower transverse side called foot consisting of an assembly of panels having transverse edges parallel to the foot and longitudinal edges parallel to the luff and the leach, each panel being hinged to the adjoining panel around an axis parallel to the foot. Each of the panels includes reinforcing elements distributed into the two following groups: (a) a first group in which they extend parallel and in proximity to said transverse edges, and (b) a second group in which they extend parallel and in proximity to the longitudinal edges of the panel. They are connected two by two by connection parts in the continuation of the reinforcing elements of the second group, so that the forces assumed by the reinforcing elements are transmitted longitudinally from one panel to another.

The present invention relates to a movable stay connected between a boom and the mast, capable of furling a sail, such as a headsail or jib. The furling and deployment movements should be proportional so the sail angle remains constant throughout use. By furling sails toward the mast and deck, the center of gravity for the sailboat is lowered. During a capsize or just harsh weather conditions, lower center of gravity helps in righting a ship or preventing it from capsizing in the first place. Other embodiments will allow for automatic detection of an anticipated capsize and an immediate automated furling of sails.

The present invention relates to a movable stay connected between a boom and the mast, capable of furling a sail, such as a headsail or jib. The furling and deployment movements should be proportional so the sail angle remains constant throughout use. By furling sails toward the mast and deck, the center of gravity for the sailboat is lowered. During a capsize or just harsh weather conditions, lower center of gravity helps in righting a ship or preventing it from capsizing in the first place. Other embodiments will allow for automatic detection of an anticipated capsize and an immediate automated furling of sails.

A connector cover is proposed that protects the web loop portion of a foresail from exposure to UV radiation. The connector cover is formed of UV-resistant material and is configured to include a tab portion that passes through the shackle and a shroud portion that wraps around the tab and web loop in a manner that maintains the cover in place. Various hook-and-loop fasteners can be used to fix the connector cover in place, as well as external ties, cording, or any other suitable type of releasable fasteners. Advantageously, the connector cover is configured to remain in place and provide protection, but is also easy to remove and replace as necessary.

The present invention relates to a rig (2) for a nautical means comprising: a reference plane intended to coincide with a symmetry plane extending in longitudinal and vertical direction of the hull of the nautical means; at least one wing; at least one rigid support capable of supporting said wing and transmitting a propulsive thrust to the hull of the nautical means given by the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing when it takes wind; the wing comprising a first and a second main face opposite to each other, the rigid support being capable of supporting the wing at least in a first operating configuration in which at least a main portion of the first or second face is facing a first side of the reference plane and in a second operating configuration in which said main portion is facing the opposite side of the reference plane; the rigid support comprising a wing sliding path for switching from the first to the second operating position and vice versa.

The present invention relates to a rig (2) for a nautical means comprising: a reference plane intended to coincide with a symmetry plane extending in longitudinal and vertical direction of the hull of the nautical means; at least one wing; at least one rigid support capable of supporting said wing and transmitting a propulsive thrust to the hull of the nautical means given by the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing when it takes wind; the wing comprising a first and a second main face opposite to each other, the rigid support being capable of supporting the wing at least in a first operating configuration in which at least a main portion of the first or second face is facing a first side of the reference plane and in a second operating configuration in which said main portion is facing the opposite side of the reference plane; the rigid support comprising a wing sliding path for switching from the first to the second operating position and vice versa.

A wind paddle sail assembly includes a sail having stiffened upper and lower ends and a paddle or pole having an upper fixed end and a lower portion with a lower free end. A fastener fastens the upper fixed end of the paddle or pole to the upper end of the sail. A downhaul strap fastens the lower end of the sail to the lower portion of the paddle or pole for adjusting tension in the sail. A method for operating a wind paddle sail assembly is also provided.

A wind paddle sail assembly includes a sail having stiffened upper and lower ends and a paddle or pole having an upper fixed end and a lower portion with a lower free end. A fastener fastens the upper fixed end of the paddle or pole to the upper end of the sail. A downhaul strap fastens the lower end of the sail to the lower portion of the paddle or pole for adjusting tension in the sail. A method for operating a wind paddle sail assembly is also provided.

A rigging comprises a mast controllably about a longitudinal axis; a flexible sail comprising a starboard and port flexible sail portions; a plurality of elongated battens which extend a luff and a leach of sail portions; each batten is pivotally connected to a respective outermost part of the respective side of the mast. Rotation of the mast causes the battens connected to one of the sail portions to be compressed along their length and causes the battens connected of the other sail portions to be tensioned along their length so as to change the shape of an aerofoil formed by the sail.