The new electronics for the foil actuators are now boxed and ready for installation. This design is a major advancement, in that we can now measure and record the foil offsets. The controller can also receive commands from the boat network, which opens the door to multiple control inputs, and eventually assisted or fully-autonomous foil control.
Our first test since the move! We took K2 out today using our new boat launch equipment–Joe’s truck and the boom truck. We launched the kite off Alameda Point and kited within sight of the beach before heading through the gap to practice maneuvering in the protected area by the USS Hornet. We practiced foiling jibes and crew transfers (with Jason driving the Protector for the first time). We also rotated crew on the kiteboat several times so that Don, Joe, Greg, and Don’s friend Phil each spent time on both the kiteboat and the Protector. Greg’s brother Ben also joined us on this test.
Today photographer Corey Arnold joined us to photograph Don and the kiteboat. His images will accompany Michael Spector’s article in the New Yorker. Corey and Don spent the morning at Makani, and then we headed out on a boat test with the 18 sqm kite. Erika joined us on this test as well.
A good test today in big chop with a lot of wind. We damaged the telescoping mast during launch, but were able to launch the 18 sqm on the first try with no mast. We then practiced sailing close to the wind on the east side of Treasure Island, which was somewhat protected. Afterward, we sailed around the island to the city side of the Bay Bridge, jumping and surfing the waves. A wet but successful test.
Another test of the new T-foil, with good performance. Ride height adjustment buttons are now separate from the tiller, and currently located next to the steering wheel on the mast. Don hopped on the Protector briefly, and Joe and Greg kited alone for one starboard tack, hitting a top speed of 28 knots. Germain Belz joined us on this test.
Today we tested K2 off Alameda using the 18 sqm kite. We have been using the old A-frame launch mast on the front of the Protector for kite tests, and we left it up today as a camera mount, to take semi-aerial photos of the kiteboat. We also used a backpack-supported ski pole mount of our own design to take GoPro video on the boat. At the end of the day, we sailed all the way back to dock.
