ONE ASSIDUOUS TEAMUPDATE ON SP80
In 2022, Gin Kiteboarding became an official supporter and kite supplier for the SP80 project, which consists in shattering the current world sailing speed record with a giant trimaran boat developed internally, hauled by a giant kite. After introducing our collaboration last September, it is now time to take stock of the situation with the SP80 Team to see how far they have come towards their ambitious goal. First major scoop: the boat will for certain be launched on the water in July 2023 for the first time, with a final deadline to achieve the record set to Spring 2024.
GIN'S CONTRIBUTIONKITE DEVELOPMENT
The latest main add-on to SP80’s development setup is undoubtedly their custom-built test rig that serves the purpose of validating the steering system from inside the boat. Instead of a bar like for kitesurfing, a steering wheel coupled with a lever will give the necessary power. A series of tests has been conducted last November in South of France, with wind conditions that will be the closest to reality. The whole purpose of these tests being: managing to launch the kite from the water and steering it with a control system, “like in the boat”.
WHAT SUCCEEDED
What worked well was the ease of piloting a kite, even for the ones who had never done it before. And as for the regulars, moving from a bar to a steering wheel happened to be relatively intuitive. The tests started with a small 9m2 kite, and they increased in size until reaching 44m2.
What worked well was the ease of piloting a kite, even for the ones who had never done it before. And as for the regulars, moving from a bar to a steering wheel happened to be relatively intuitive. The tests started with a small 9m2 kite, and they increased in size until reaching 44m2.
WHAT THEY LEARNED
The trim system (lever) functions smoothly, but it is relatively non-ergonomic for the boat, so it had to be refined. On top of what, piloting with video feedback was also a first. As the visibility inside the cockpit will be pretty limited, it is imperative for the pilots to have a video feed of the kite, especially for launching and landing. But fortunately, it happened to be very intuitive as well.
The trim system (lever) functions smoothly, but it is relatively non-ergonomic for the boat, so it had to be refined. On top of what, piloting with video feedback was also a first. As the visibility inside the cockpit will be pretty limited, it is imperative for the pilots to have a video feed of the kite, especially for launching and landing. But fortunately, it happened to be very intuitive as well.
WHAT WAS ALSO DONE
The team also carried out some kite launching and landing tests in situation, with the same constraints as if they were launched from the water. A precise procedure to follow must be in place by July. Those precise tests were performed with a Boom V2 9m2, an 11m2 and a 21m2, which contributed to the elaboration of the very first kite prototype, currently in the making with Hans Bollinger, our kite foil engineer at Gin Kiteboarding.
The team also carried out some kite launching and landing tests in situation, with the same constraints as if they were launched from the water. A precise procedure to follow must be in place by July. Those precise tests were performed with a Boom V2 9m2, an 11m2 and a 21m2, which contributed to the elaboration of the very first kite prototype, currently in the making with Hans Bollinger, our kite foil engineer at Gin Kiteboarding.
ABOUT THAT PROTOTYPE
We currently have one in the making, based on the results of the latest tests. It will be a 30m2 kite, based off of a Gin kite, but with an adapted bridle plan to suit the hydraulic control system inside the boat. That prototype will be tested at the end of February in the South of France. The team will then build on that base to develop the next prototype to optimize the boat’s performances.
We currently have one in the making, based on the results of the latest tests. It will be a 30m2 kite, based off of a Gin kite, but with an adapted bridle plan to suit the hydraulic control system inside the boat. That prototype will be tested at the end of February in the South of France. The team will then build on that base to develop the next prototype to optimize the boat’s performances.
EXTRA PROTOTYPE
In addition to that prototype, a reinforced 10m2 Gin kite will be tested on a specialized car trailer equipped with a balance. The goal of these future tests is to target the kite’s performances by holding it up in a fixed position, and to measure the forces that apply, as well as the direction.
In addition to that prototype, a reinforced 10m2 Gin kite will be tested on a specialized car trailer equipped with a balance. The goal of these future tests is to target the kite’s performances by holding it up in a fixed position, and to measure the forces that apply, as well as the direction.
SAFETY MATTER
The test rig also allows to test the kite’s emergency release system in a secure way. It is crucial for the 2 pilots onboard to be in position to cut the kite’s power at any given time!
The test rig also allows to test the kite’s emergency release system in a secure way. It is crucial for the 2 pilots onboard to be in position to cut the kite’s power at any given time!
THE PROJECT AS A WHOLEGLOBAL OUTLINE
Globally speaking, the project is progressing well, with great goals and accomplishments for every team. A lot of prototypes have been gone over for the inside of the cockpit, such as the piloting system or the seats. The integration team also put a lot of work on the polycarbonate skylight, which had to be sanded to the shape of the boat and solidified with a carbon frame.
The mechanical and electrical team currently have their hands full with the external arm, in which the kite lines will eventually be attached. The whole purpose of this power module being, turning according to the position of the kite to align the forces with the foils.
And all of this hard work will make even more sense when the second part of the boat finally enters the SP80 headquarters in March. For sure an emotional moment for the whole team, as they keep reaching major milestones together.
WHAT DRIVES THE TEAMULTIMATE PURPOSE
July 2023 is the official deadline for the first launch on water in South of France. By then, the team will have prototypes ready for the foil and for the kite that will be closer than ever from the final result. The idea is to first test the boat with small kites, and to gradually increase in size and speed as the pilots get more comfortable.
Everything is finally coming together! Even with a boat that won’t be 100% optimized, it is a huge accomplishment to ultimately put it out on the water after 3 years of work. Everyone is absolutely psyched at that prospect, and this memorable landmark will for sure boost the troops and represent a big step forward in the project.
That wave of energy will sail the team straight to their record that will officially take place in Spring 2024.
THE 3 MAJOR MILESTONES TO ACHIEVE
1. Launch the boat on the water
2. Break the world current sailing speed record
3. Sail as fast as possible
