Device for fitting to sail-boats to influence heel - is membrane either side of keel, selectively pushed out to predetermined extent

摘要

The sailboat fitting to influence their heel is a flexible membrane (13) fixed to the keel (12) on both sides between hull (11) and ballast weight (14). Gas or liquid selectively injected under pressure through passages (10) within the keel into the space (15) between it and the membranes pushes one of these outwards, altering the keep cross-sectional profile on that side. Alternatively, mechanical means can be used to achieve this. Horizontal webs (16), pref. flexible, fixed to both keel and membrane limit membrane movement to produce a predetermined outline. Holes in the webs permit fluid flow through.