Introduction to the World’s Fastest Sailboat
The world of sailing has witnessed numerous innovations, but none as extraordinary as the SP80, a kite-powered sailboat designed to break the world sailing speed record. This alien spaceship of a sailboat has already recorded the second-fastest speed in history, making the outright record well within reach.
Design and Features of the SP80
The SP80 boasts a super-lightweight trimaran hull design, 10 m (33 ft) long and 7 m (23 ft) wide, which stays in contact with the water. Unlike other high-speed sailboats, the SP80 does not use hydrofoils, as they can cause cavitation, leading to dangerous levels of drag and instability at high speeds. Instead, it features a giant parachute-like kite attached to a wing-like control arm, which pulls the boat forward. The kite is designed to pull hard from one side, while the rest of the boat is designed to turn that pull into maximum forward velocity while resisting rollover.
Managing the Kite and Stability
The SP80 requires two pilots to manage the kite and steer the boat. One pilot sits in front to steer, while the other sits behind to operate the kite-sail. The boat also features a foil blade on the right side, which pulls downward and to the right as the speed increases, helping to resist the kite’s tendency to pull the boat up and out of the water.
The Current Record and SP80’s Ambition
The outright world speed sailing record stands at 65.37 knots (75.23 mph, or 121.06 km/h), set by Paul Larsen in the Vestas Sailrocket 2. However, the SP80 team aims to break this record, targeting a speed of over 80 knots (about 92 mph, or 150 km/h).
Recent Achievements and Testing
After several years of development and testing, the SP80 has started to show its potential, recording the second-fastest speed in sailing history: 58.261 knots (67.1 mph, or 108 km/h). Although this speed may not seem impressive compared to other watercraft, it is a significant milestone, and the team is confident that they can achieve even higher speeds.
The Road to the Record
The SP80 team will continue testing over the next month, off the coast of Leucate and Port-La Nouvelle in southern France. With each test, they refine their handling and analyze data to improve their performance. The team is determined to break the world record, and their hard work and dedication may soon pay off.
Conclusion
The SP80 is an extraordinary sailboat that is pushing the boundaries of speed and innovation in the sailing world. With its unique design and kite-powered system, it is well on its way to breaking the world sailing speed record. As the team continues to test and refine their craft, we can expect to see even more impressive speeds in the future. The question remains, will they be able to relieve Paul Larsen of his record, and if so, how soon? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the SP80 is an exciting development in the world of sailing, and its journey to the top is definitely worth watching.
