Sailrocket vs. Hydroptère

The Vestas Sailrocket begins its quest for the outright world speed sailing record, currently held by the French Hydroptère team. Their target is 51.36 knots (that's 94 kph) average speed over a 500 m stretch. The Sailrocket, brainchild of Vestas engineer Malcolm Barnsley, has an ingenious design that balances the aerodynamic force against the hydrodynamic force and eliminates the capsizing moment. If they can prove the concept, this could have major implications for wind-powered travel. To keep up to date with the record attempt visit www.sailrocket.com.
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[@charlesroucher7302]

It is interesting but I do not think they should compare the two. The Hydroptère is a boat, ultimately it is designed to cross oceans at the fastest speed possible. The Sailrocket is a blow cart. Flat water and straight lines is as far as it will ever go.

[@JoeOvercoat]

yah, it seems like the sailrocket might outrun the sailboat, if the sailrocket were scaled up, but only given just the right conditions, a rarity on the open sea...any open sea. and even then, show me it turning around and making that run the other way, or we can say flat water and straight lines is as far as it will ever go....and it'll need a tow back, so don't go too far! :o they are both pretty cool craft, in their own right. but not comparable.

[@henkvaneldik1976]

Handel, messiah

[@jamesaron1967]

They're only compared in the context of top speed records. How the speed is attained is not important as long as it is achieved by wind power alone.

[@corentinoger]

They finally managed to beat Hydroptère's record using "sailrocket II". Hydroptère was not originally intended for short distance records, but for ocean racing, hence the more "traditional" shape.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Cool video. Fast and dangerous sport. I'm estimating here, the Sail Rocket cost $25,000 and the Hydroptere cost $250,000. Two different forms of investment. One the average person can afford, the other beyond.

[@aderuffray]

Hydroptère will now try to beat the transpac record, which is much more in harmony with what the boat was designed for. However, the friendly competition between Vestas and Hydroptère is not yet finished, because in the short term, they should launch a new prototype designed for pure speed, a direct rival for Vestas! Project name: "Hydroptère Rocket". As a French sailor, my heart goes for Hydroptere, but Go Vestas!

[@trachooyansucon9874]

I hear all your words. Keep on going. Cheer.

[@davebass2766]

proof of design and scale ability can induce a green tech of profound impact! This is awesome!

[@perryquinn8401]

The record is held by Perry Lee Quinn since an official speedtrial at Jervoise Bay sailing club in Jan 87 never beaten in 35 yrs still th record at a real speed of 53.7knots av speed across a measured and checked courses at an event .

[@Sens_F_Music]

why aren't you using hydrofoils?

[@radarriau]

Nice work indeed... Can it sail choppy water, or rolling swells like the hydropter, or New Zealands foiling AC72?

[@goblue5840]

It relies on a hydrofoil to stay in the water rather than out. It counteracts the upward force from the wing

[@wilmantube]

Actually, it doesn't. The way it works is that it has miniature planing pontoons on the bottom of the boat which keep the hull above water but the boat doesn't technically "foil".

[@FOscum]

Yes, but also the effects on apparent windspeed, vortex, etc.

[@rubennavegante3491]

Very nice thanks

[@wildblue2]

What was the reason for the accident, hydrofoil cavitation? The sail foil has no twist could that have been a factor?

[@leanmachttv]

awesome

[@johnscollon7355]

I have an idea on how to set a new speed record. its a flying anchor. a ridged kite that fly's in the water, controlled from a pod thats flying above the water. the pod is also connected to a big kite in the air. control the anchor kit with your feet and control the kite in the air with your hands.

[@TarmanTheChampion]

What about adding multiple sails to the sail rocket? Or an even a bigger sail & boat maybe?

[@albertLAPOINTE]

they can’t do it.

[@Bobbomcbobbob]

that goes fast

[@jroccosailnfast]

If a drag you around kite can a hold a speed sailling record,this boat should have no issues ,at least it has a sail and mast.Good luck

[@haydenmossop]

nice forward attempt,, m maybe a back loop next time

[@Cpdforteachers-CPD4T]

@dewalljp no, they don't

[@dicktilton]

It's clear that neither craft presents a practical means of water transport. The builders obviously intended that their common goal is to sail fast enough to break records, period. That said, design approaches in both boats could very possibly find their way into more versatile watercraft in the future.

[@karayuschij]

The Hydroptère can transport more people, more provisions, and go farther…

[@fabbansuri4811]

and go in both side of the wind due to its symmetry

[@baswit514]

Nice work, and now they are foilling on Amerika’s cup, with speeds up too 41 knots. Vespa’s could use three of those wings.

[@FOscum]

Odd that Hydroptere does not do a lot more work on increasing the aerodynamic elements of their vessel above water? I can see areas where drag could be vastly reduced and possible increasing top speed by a few knots. Quite surprising that they put huge effort into hydrodynamic efficiency and forget about the topside

[@matheusmendes6049]

I think thats because long travels confort

[@SailJuice]

Go Larsen, you Mount Gay sodden crazy fool!!!

[@PerryQuinn-ke7dm]

The windsurfers have held it non stop since the early 80s,myself for 37yrs before me Fred Hayward before him Robby Nash before him a😢nother windsurfer at 42knots ,maybe they claim an outriger or certan class record for GPS enthusiasts ,cant stop them putting things on the computer system i supose im out this ,the tecords mine untill properly and officially beaten ,sail on,

[@jeansdavid]

I respect what has been done with the sail rocket but it is completely impractical. Not that the Hydroptere is practical but it is built as a high speed oceangoing vessel and could outrun the sail rocket in most any conditions and at every point of sail.

[@jeanpierregriffier5590]

En fait ce n'est pas lui contre un autre mais lui tout seul vous voyez ce que je veux dire les francais

[@OnFrozenPond]

Didn't do your homework. Sailrocket does have hydrofoils.

[@joachimplanchon9093]

You can compare a real boat that can sail in a real sea with waves and a prototype that can only sail one way on flat water...

[@albertLAPOINTE]

Si tu te crash ça ne doit pas être homologué. il faut battre le record sans se crasher.

[@biglex]

missing the point

[@ardwych4881]

(..seven years work on your 'part', btw :) )

[@captmack007]

almost did a Vulcan...lol

[@MsExtremesports]

all they need to do is put hydrofoils on that boat and it will beat the record

[@jimbobojim4634]

Slow boats... The average run of the mill 30 year old antique cigarette with two half used engines at the end of their life, and a couple of crappy mercury outdrives with dinged up props would smoke either of these two "boats". Wind powered junk.

[@albertLAPOINTE]

Sail Rocket is unable to navigate on the high seas and over long distances. This is shit ! there is no comparison.