<<A very real problem that I can see is that a streamlined boat with a wing won't anchor or moor nicely with other boats, it is just going to wander all over the place.>>

  Precisely.  It's not going to flip or break as long as that bearing is working, but the wandering could be a major problem if you can't always get a whole anchorage to yourself, particularly if you're cruising.  Or, like us, have the boat moored instead of docked.

  It would be interesting to see what marinas and boatyards think about having a big rigid wing standing upright.  The yard could force you to remove the wing, but that wouldn't really be an option when sailing in and out of a marina.

  I'd also be worried about trailering the boat.  I read about the tough time Oracle had in overseas with their big trimaran wing trying to get away from them on shore in just a few knots of breeze.


<<However if the system is not free to rotate (frozen or sticky bearings)  then yes you have a nightmare situation.>>

  Definitely.  And then what?  With a soft sail, you could probably just drop the sail, or if that doesn't work, cut the halyard or even climb the mast and cut the sail with a knife (scary, but theoretically possible).  With a rigid wing there isn't really any recourse.

---

  I'd say the rigid wing is a very good technological solution for purpose-specific boats, particular racers, but has some serious downsides if you want to use the boat on a casual basis and/or for long periods of time.

        - Mike

 

Rick, "A rigid foil aloft will produce lift at any angle.  There is no dead band with respect to angle of attack and it has inertia. "

No, a symmetrical wing produces no lift and almost no drag at a zero AOA. . .

Your experience is based on wings that are secured in position and the shifting winds will change the AOA from zero and generate lift, which is a nightmare scenario.

On the other hand, a freely weathervaning system with a vertical stabilizer will generate almost no drag and no lift in any kind of condition. However if the system is not free to rotate (frozen or sticky bearings)  then yes you have a nightmare situation.

A very real problem that I can see is that a streamlined boat with a wing won't anchor or moor nicely with other boats, it is just going to wander all over the place.  It may require two anchors.

Another little tidbit I picked up cruising.  Don't use the engine engaged forward to take off the tension on the rode.  Invariable the boat will start to oscillate back and forth which will increase the forces on the anchor system.

Rather the engine should be engaged in reverse tightening up the system, which decreases the instantaneous forces.

Of course if the anchor is dragging neither method will work, it then is better to reset the anchor or just lift the anchor and motor around until the storm is over. 

Talador