In order to provide a rigid sail or aerofoil sail which has a lower overall weight, is cost-effective to manufacture and does not affect the passing under bridges, power lines or similar structures arranged over busy waters, in the case of a rigid sail for vessels, in particular, for large ships, such as bulk carriers, tankers, car transporters or bulkers, comprising a mast and a first aerofoil wing body mounted on the mast with a base and a head, wherein the mast is inserted through the base into the first aerofoil wing body and is arranged within the first aerofoil wing body, it is proposed that the mast, starting from the base, does not extend beyond a maximum height of the first aerofoil wing body, in particular, less than 75% of the maximum height.

A wind-propelled vessel is described herein. The vessel includes at least one hull and at least one set of paired masts. Each paired mast of the at least one set of paired masts has a first mast located to one side of the vessel and a second mast located on the opposite side of the vessel. Also, each mast of the at least one set of paired masts has a spar located at or near the top of the mast. Moreover, each one of the spar located at or near the top of the mast extends inwards towards a center plane of the vessel, and an inward end of the spar is connected by a connector to another inward end of another one of the each one of the spar located at or near the top of the mast. In accordance with the illustrative examples provided herein, the connector imparts a dynamic force upon connected spars that responsively pulls the connected ones of the inward ends of the spars to their nearest position when tops of the masts to which the spars are fixably attached move away from a relative nearest position to a paired one of one set of paired masts.

One embodiment of a mast-head standing rigging connection device, allowing for sail module rotation about a mast axis, is disclosed. The embodiment allows for connection of shrouds and conventional single mast forestay and backstay rigging systems. Additional embodiments, utilizing modifications of the first embodiment, for multi-mast and triangular fore-aft sail mast roller reef-furl systems, are described.

A keel canting mechanism for a sailing vessel having a hull, a keel and a mast is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a worm gear co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the vessel about which the keel rotates during a canting movement. There is a double enveloping worm in mesh with the worm gear and means for driving the worm. The worm gear is fast with the keel and, when rotated by the worm, displaces the keel through a canting movement. The gear has a plurality of holes in it into which pins can be inserted to lock the gear, and hence the keel, in the position to which it has been moved by the worm.

Sail construction comprising foldable sail supports (2), a crossbeam (3), a holder (1.1), a sail (1), a bottom holder (4), ropes (4.3) and a bolt and tackle system. The sail can be a self-inflatable sail (1 SN) designed similarly to paragliders, partially or fully inflatable.

Technologies are described herein for sailing wing for a vehicle such as a sailboat. As described herein, a sailing wing includes a main sail and a control surface. The control surface is rotatable around a hinge. When deflected, the control surface using force imparted on the control surface by the wind causes the main sail to rotate about a pivot axis, creating thrust.

Technologies are described herein for sailing wing for a vehicle such as a sailboat. As described herein, a sailing wing includes a main sail and a control surface. The control surface is rotatable around a hinge. When deflected, the control surface using force imparted on the control surface by the wind causes the main sail to rotate about a pivot axis, creating thrust.

Disclosed, as a device for correcting the horizontality of the small ship according to the present invention, is a device for controlling the horizontality of a small ship by using a variable mast, the device comprising: a tilt sensing unit for sensing the tilt of the small ship; a position adjustment unit formed such that at least a portion thereof can move in the horizontal direction on the deck of the small ship, and having a separate mast loaded on an upper part thereof to support the mast such that the mast is located at a predetermined height or higher; and a horizontality control unit for correcting the center of gravity of the small ship by adjusting a position of the mast through the position adjustment unit in correspondence to the tilt sensed by the tilt sensing unit.

A collapsible mast of or for a yacht includes a base, a top section, and a rotation mechanism arranged between the base and the top section configured to rotate the top section relative to the base between an upright extended state, in which the top section extends in line with the base, and a collapsed state, in which the top section is rotated downward to reduce a height of the mast. The rotation mechanism comprises an axis oriented transverse through the base. Further, the rotation mechanism comprises a rotation arm, which is rotatably connected to the base via the axis.

The present invention is directed broadly to a marine vessel (10) comprising a deck (12) mounted to a hull (14) together with a sail (16) coupled to the marine vessel (10) via a mast base assembly (18). The mast base assembly (18) comprises a mast tilt assembly (22). The mast base assembly (18) also comprises a mast base mounting (20) to which the mast tilt assembly (22) is pivotally mounted for movement about a tilt axis (24) between stowed and operative positions. The mast base assembly (18) further comprises a sail slew assembly (26) mounted to the sail (16) associated with the marine vessel (10). The sail slew assembly (26) is operatively coupled to the mast tilt assembly (22) for slewing of the sail (16). The sail (16) is rotated or slewed about a slew axis (28) of the mast tilt assembly (22) to reorient the sail (16) relative to the marine vessel (10).