archive 4

Ten people responded to the online questionnaire during this period. All the respondents were male with ages ranging from 18 to 52 years (average age 32.9 years). Seven classified themselves as intermediates and 3 as expert sailors.
Comments about existing sailing rigs
"Pure hightech material. Different sail sizes to fit any usable windspeed. Newer rigs are easy to trim and very nice in handling and performance. Through carbonfiber masts and very durable monofilm rigs are very light (important for handling and waterstart) and have really cool designs"	Yes, contemporary windsurfing rigs are superb - it is difficult to see how they can be improved upon significantly in terms of performance and attractiveness. However, the transition rig approach has something to offer in terms of ease of rigging/derigging (it folds) and in terms of adaptability to changing wind strengths
"The biggest and hardest question in all time is: Which material should I use and what will do the wind ?! Price - all stuff for fun is not cheap in Germany" "I do windsurfing. I have 4 sails and 2 masts. For me it would be better to use only one sail and one mast. My equipment costs a lot and if I want to surf more I have to buy more sails (for every windstrength the right sail)"
"I use full batten windsurfing sail on an ice-yacht, very good up to 80km/h. I like to make experiments and I have to decrease the air resistance for higher speed. Maybe your rig can contribute to this??"	The transition rig has not yet been tried on an ice-yacht, or for that matter at higher speeds - it would be interesting to try at a later stage...
"Tall, expensive, difficult to sail in gusty conditions" "not a big bermudan fan - (good for racing, but not so for cruising - which should not be upwind all the time - also expensive, and worn out sails not that efficient)" "I am a wind surfer. The rigs are hard to transport. On- and off-rigging take too long. Trimming is not easy" "I think that the windsurfing sails are good but still you have to change sail often 4 times a day and that takes time with the modern sail" "Too many masts, sails and booms which naturally means high costs. Much rigging is needed" "Normal windsurfer rigs are time-consuming to mantle and dismantle. They are expensive if you want good qualitiy" "There are about 500 people in Sweden that are iceboating with WS rigs (see www.isabella-iceboat.com/isabella.html)"
What do you think of the Transition Rig idea?
"Basically a good idea, but I see problems in terms of weight, especially when wet due to the amount of water that gets sucked into the fabric. Another problem is the shape of the rig, regarding the airflow over the whole wingspan which is not optimal for higher speeds"	The latest double-coated fabric that we are trying does not absorb any water. Weight and shape of the rig are design issues, and we are in the process of optimising these important variables for different applications. We are aiming to try a higher-speed rig this summer
"best idea since kitesurfing" "If it works also for windsurfing it’s a revolutionary idea which could change the surfindustrie" "It is a very good idea"
"simply great! are you using elastic cloth?"	Yes, the cloth has to be elastic to accommodate changes in the geometry of the mast. The trick will be to have exactly the right amount of elasticity - too much and the sail becomes floppy and inefficient, too little and the sail will resist changes in mast geometry. We have recently identified a good double-coated stretch fabric, but we are still in need of an elastic transparent film that could be used in windsurfing versions of the rig as a window-material. If you have any thoughts on this, please let me know!
"Sounds great" "I have to try it first, I am no expert but the sail looks... well different. But it’s for sure interesting" "Great if it works although I more interested in the Powerfoil idée" "Looks great!"
"I would be very interested in trying the dinghy version on my Isabella iceboat (see http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-11050/delta/index.htm). How does the mast stand up? How many m2 is the sail fully extended?"	The dinghy version of the transition rig is unstayed - it is entirely supported by the mast foot. (In that sense it is similar to the shoulder of a bat or bird.) All the control cables have to pass through this region as close as possible to the vertical axis to allow the entire rig to rotate freely without changing the cable tensions unduly. The prototype sails have been in the range 5.5 to 6.5 m² so far, but the concept should be applicable across a wide range of sizes
Would you buy a Transition Rig?
"I would surely ask for a test ride, just to get the feeling how this "bat" works but finally I think this rig is maybe better for beginners" "sure if the right price and compatibility with other surfstuff. Last autumn storm damaged my holy stuff - I’m looking for new material" "Yes, of course. If a professional windsurfer tests this material, I would buy it." "depends on the price/performance gain" "Where do I send the money? I have a hobie cat 16' and ambitions for larger sailing craft. Do you need testers?" "very tempted (dingy version) but depends on the price" "Yes" "Yes, if it’s working like a modern windsurfing sail and at a reasonable price, but it can on the other hand cost like 3 sails and 3 mast (if it can change size that much)" "Yes!!!!!!"