woman windsurfs across the pacific

[sukhdev]

just in case anyone missed it in the s.. times...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=583&e=4&u=/nm/20031103/od_nm/windsu   rfing_dc

but bear in mind, its not like any board you have ever seen, for pictures of the 7.8m "board" look here:

http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEM1DKXO4HD_Improving_1.html

[<denis>]

It has been a great achievement to complete such a long voyage using a windsurfing sail although some people have actually questioned whether you can call the vessel a sailboard (read comments in her website forum).  You can't plane on it that's for sure.

What I would really like to know is how this vessel is steered.  I do not think it is possible to control the direction of a vessel this long and this heavy using the sail alone.  There has to be a rudder under the control of the sailor.  Any ideas Sukhdev?

[sukhdev]

if you look at the pictures of the "board" overturned in the 2nd link i dont think you can see a rudder though the big blue daggerboard/centreboard/keel thing is very visible. It seems to ride high out of the water, she is even heeling it a bit in the top picture so perhaps with careful mast foot positioning rig steering might work? just guessing anyway..the board is 550kg.

[<denis>]

I checked.  Actually it does have a sophisticated rudder system.  See drawing below.  I don't know how the sailor controls it though.
 Drawing of Raphaella's sailboard

[<Olympic hopeful>]

Looks like the ideal olympic board.
Can be used in all winds, body weight not an issue. Will test tatics, just like a yachties like.

[<Fish>]

Hey...

No ways could it be an ideal olympic board... far too light for anything designed by a committee!

[Derek Cohen]

I recall that two Frenchmen successfully sailed the Pacific on a similar windsurfer-yacht in the early 80's (1983?). Their boat ... board was rigged as a tandem. In fact, they each had special double sails.

Regards from Perth

Derek