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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!qantel!lll-crg!lll-lcc!vecpyr!amd!amdcad!cae780!weitek!mmm
From: mmm@weitek.UUCP (Mark Thorson)
Newsgroups: net.rec.boat
Subject: Building a boat.
Message-ID: <332@weitek.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 30-Nov-85 22:11:16 EST
Article-I.D.: weitek.332
Posted: Sat Nov 30 22:11:16 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Dec-85 04:22:52 EST
Organization: Weitek Corp. Sunnyvale Ca.
Lines: 17
Keywords: parafoil sail

I'm interested in someday building a boat (someday, like when I retire in
50 years).  I would like a sailboat.  One of the most difficult parts to
build would be the mast(s).

My question is:  Could I eliminate the masts by towing the boat with a
parafoil kite.

It seems like a fine solution.  No masts, no rigging.  Just toss the kite(s)
into the wind.  Steer with the rudder.

Any reason this wouldn't be feasible?  What do you see as big problems?

(Just as an aside, the difficulty I have with the idea of a mast is that
I'm thinking of a non-rigid unsinkable hull made from cloth, rope, and
hollow plastic beads).

Mark Thorson   (...!cae780!weitek!mmm)