Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

Various embodiments of a submerged sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

The invention relates to a sail having a variable profile. The sail can vary between a folded non-operative position and an unfolded operative position, wherein they determine the profile of the sail (2) and therefore the aerodynamic surface for contacting with the wind, characterised in that the sail comprises at least one sail element (24) which is inflatable and stiffenable, and which can be actuated by inflation (30) and stiffening means (29), between a folded position corresponding to said folded non-operative position and said unfolded operative position, in which the sail (2) is inflated. The profile of the sail is divided into sections (21, 22) on both sides of a shaft (20), and comprises a support structure (23) on which said inflatable sail elements (24) are disposed, said inflatable sail elements being formed by inflatable pockets (24) which can be actuated by said inflation (30) and stiffening means (29).

Various embodiments of a submerged sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

An automatic wing control mechanism for sailing vessels is described. The automatic wing control mechanism adjusts a wing orientation with respect to the apparent wind to optimize its efficiency.

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

There is provided a wing sail comprising a first inflatable strut (10) extending in a width direction (Wd), a second inflatable strut (20) extending in a length direction (Ln) from the first inflatable strut, at least one handle (25, 26) mounted on the second inflatable strut, and first and second sail sheets (30, 35) that are spaced apart from one another in a height direction (He). The first inflatable strut (10) defines a leading edge (12) of the wing sail. The first and second sail sheets (30, 35) each comprise a front edge (35F) and a rear edge (35R) that are opposite to one another, wherein the front edges both connect to the first inflatable strut, and wherein the first and second sail sheets both extend rearwardly away from the first inflatable strut towards a trailing edge (40) of the wing sail.

A sail propulsion element comprises a mast (3), an inflatable sail (1) consisting essentially of two substantially fluidtight adjacent surfaces (5) joined together along their periphery, thus forming at least one closed cavity, at least one air conduit positioned between the inside and the outside of the cavity, at least one means for injecting air into the cavity, the sail once inflated having a profile that remains permanently symmetrical, irrespective of the movement of the propulsion element, or of the direction or strength of the wind, a headboard (10), a sail receptacle (11), and at least one guide line (12) positioned in the closed cavity of the sail, for the maneuvers of hoisting and dropping the sail, the guide line extending from a leading edge (8) to a trailing edge (9) of the sail, passing through the headboard (10) and the sail receptacle (11).