• the mast is made up of three segments with joints between them - this means that it can be folded away when not in use

• when the rig is in use, the mast is tensioned in such a way that the segments are extended

• the elastic sail is held taut by the extended mast and wishbone boom

• in lighter winds the rig is fully extended, while in stronger winds the rig becomes more flexed and streamlined in shape, lowering the centre of effort

So, essentially the Transition Rig is like a bat's wing or bird's wing - it has variable geometry to allow changes in shape during use and folding when not in use.

The sailboard version changes shape according to the amount of downforce exerted on the boom - in stronger winds the increasing lift generated by the rig is counterbalanced by the sailor leaning out more over the water, which in turn causes the rig to flex.

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the shadow.

T.S. Eliot: The Hollow Men.

• For the dinghy version, click here
• For the canoe and kayak version, click here
• For application to larger ships, click here

The Transition Rig concept is protected by GB Patents 2225760, 2368829, and 2381515. Click here for more about the Patents.