tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734970.post5348521240739682489..comments2008-02-10T13:42:11.259ZPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09494648309853869824noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734970.post-84881050449227803932008-02-10T13:42:11.259Z2008-02-10T13:42:11.259ZHi all, I think Bernard was doing a follow up book called 'The Ultimate Sailboat'! I guess that leaves the final speed pretty open. He doesn't do e-mail so correspondance is by the old fashion way I'm afraid.<BR/>As far as the recent developments of the kiteboarders go... of course I have been watching it all very closely.<BR/>The speeds are remarkable but... I don't see why they don't simply play under the same set of rules as everyone else as it will make their speeds more relevant. The course is between two points 500m apart and that is that. It doesn't diminish their achievements at all. I don't see how the rule can be any other way. I don't believe that the standard 'off the shelf' GPS systems are accurate enough to ratify anything else and believe me... Kite/wind surfers don't want to lug around the hardware or pay for the Trimble system which is ratified( we know... we used it). So the course Tilman did was curved and according to people who have checked his course out... he's still under 50 knots... but only just. For me, this is not the issue. The issue is that there are rules in place which are there to protect the sport/endeavour. They are there to make sure that we, to borrow a phrase, are comparing 'apples with apples'. <BR/><BR/>I prefer the 500m projected course as I believe it demonstrates a controlled and sustainable average as against a big bear away from a strong wind. <BR/>I think that the rules surrounding the Outright record relating to the 500m course need to be tightened up somewhat. there needs to be a limit on how shallow you can go. I believe that any time that your hydrodynamics is being directly affected by the proximity of the bottom that you are introducing a third element which ruins the purity of the realtionship of wind and water. It is this relationship that speed-sailing is all about.<BR/><BR/>There is only room for one outright record but it simply has to be ratified. This is not only to prevent false claims but also to correctly determine between two close runs. <BR/>If I went as quick as Tilman, I would shout it out also... but I wouldn't claim any record until it was proven.<BR/><BR/>The kiteboarders look set to do to the windsurfers what they did to everyone else in the 80's. Good for them. Sailrocket is a Mk1 prototype. If we are beaten to 50 or even beyond this Mk1's capabilities then we will simply have to keep pushing the concept further. One of the reasons why I love this concept is because it has 'legs'. The Mk1 will aim to prove the concept works and is truly viable in the real world... the Mk2 will be looking a little further down the track and that will involve ventilated foils, stronger winds and therefore bumpier seas. We aren't there yet, but that's where it's headed.<BR/><BR/>It's all good stuff. I'm glad to see the issues being debated as I believe it is all healthy and generally constructive.<BR/><BR/>Happy days!<BR/><BR/>Cheers, Paul.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734970.post-56370906886521830732008-02-10T02:25:09.925Z2008-02-10T02:25:09.925ZIs Bermard rushing to do the book correctum 'the 50 knots boat'?<BR/>I guess!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734970.post-50988977733977923022008-02-10T02:13:43.196Z2008-02-10T02:13:43.196ZWhat a nice story. What a great project and team !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734970.post-22233227601311135212008-01-29T23:02:27.352Z2008-01-29T23:02:27.352ZO, and say hello to Bernard for me as well, and tell him his idea's are here to stay !<BR/>I'd like to give hime an homage as well, if you manage to get his email or can give me his adress, I'd be very grateful.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/><BR/>JohanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18734970.post-80729550436261416782008-01-29T22:56:25.485Z2008-01-29T22:56:25.485ZHey guys,<BR/><BR/>It's unofficial, but nevertheless very impressive:<BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2gSQXy4-MwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com