A Concept That Could Make Sailing Much Easier

The strange looking prototype inflated wing sail is truly innovative. Matthew Sheahan sails a concept that could make sailing much easier

- Matthew Sheahan

As the mist rose off the water’s surface in the picturesque harbor of Morges on the north bank of Lake Geneva, only the gentle buzz of a small air compressor broke the tranquillity of the picture-perfect setting.

Few of those passing by on their morning stroll along the Swiss dockside would have thought anything odd, doubtless putting the noise down to someone inflating a car tire or jetwashing a dinghy. And, unless they’d stopped, even fewer would have noticed what was really happening as the head of a black sail started to rise above the quay.

Getting ready to go sailing on Edouard Kessi’s converted 5.5m yacht with its towering ulna-rigged wing sail is very simple. Climb aboard, flick the switch and wait two minutes as the compressor pumps air into a five-section, telescopic aluminum mast which rises within the black sailcloth neatly stacked on the boom.

Once the mast has reached full hoist and the sail is up, the main pump stops and there is only the gentle hum of two small fans in the leading edge of the wing, responsible for inflating the sail. From there, you simply slip your lines, sheet in and sail out.

Even in this snug little harbor, with its maze of pontoons, piles and mooring buoys, sailing is easy – this rig has no shrouds and can rotate through 360°.

But these advantages are still just fringe benefits of a prototype design that is truly innovative.

The Inflated Wing Sail (IWS) is the brainchild of Edouard Kessi and his business partner, Laurent de Kalbermatten. Both have reputations for lateral thinking and have impressive track records in making wild ideas come to life (see page 32). But even when you know their backstories, this rig is so different that it takes a while for the true benefits to hit home.