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Altaeros Energies, a wind energy company formed out of MIT, recently completed testing of a 35-foot scale prototype of the Altaeros Airborne Wind Turbine (AWT) at the Loring Commerce Center in Limestone, Maine. The prototype, fabricated in partnership with Doyle Sailmakers of Salem, Massachusetts, achieved several key milestones. The AWT climbed up 350 feet high, produced power at altitude, and landed in an automated cycle. In addition, the prototype lifted the top-selling Southwest Skystream turbine to produce over twice the power at high altitude than generated at conventional tower height. The turbine was successfully transported and deployed into the air from a towable docking trailer. Watch the video below of the prototype’s test.

The Dutch crew helmed by two-time Yngling World Champion Maarten Jamin won the 2012 Yngling Open Springtime Championship held May 2-5, 2012 in Riva del Garda, Italy. This year 27 teams from Austria, The Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland participated in the classic Springtime event organized by Fraglia Vela Riva.

The eight race series was over four days with medium-strong winds. The Dutch crew of Maarten Jamin, Jaap Smolders and Menno Berens won by 9 points over Austrians Mayr-Knittel-Spaengler.

For more information on Doyle Yngling sails, click here.

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The 2012 Sperry Top-Sider Annapolis NOOD Regatta hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club was held May 4-6, 2012. Congratulations to the crew of Matros for winning the S2 7.9 fleet and to the crew of Rebel for finishing 3rd in the same class.

For more information on Doyle S2 7.9 sails, click here.

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Shockwave wins IRC Division 2012 Charleston Race Week

The 2012 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week was held April 19-22. In its 16th year, Charleston Race Week was the biggest it has ever been – with 257 boats.

George Sakellaris’ Mini Maxi Shockwave with a full Doyle Stratis inventory won the IRC division at the 2012 Charleston Race Week, winning 7 of the 8 races. At 72-feet, Shockwave is the largest boat to date to enter Charleston Race Week and benefited greatly from Doyle’s in-depth CFD analysis.

In the first ever 40-boat Viper 640 fleet, Doyle finished 1-2. Jason Carroll and team on Argo sailed a great event to win the class, with Doyle’s Brad Boston and team on Jackpot finishing in 2nd. This is the 3rd year in a row that Doyle sails have powered the winner of the Viper 640 Class at Charleston Race Week.

Doyle sails dominated the Ultimate 20 class with all boats powered by Doyle sails. Keith Ziegler just beat out BJ Jones to finish 1-2. Ziegler and Jones finished with 11 and 12 points respectively, trading 1st and 2nd place finishes in each race.

Jay Rhame's Viper 640

Congratulations to Gary Weisberg and team on J/109 Heat Wave for their 2nd place finish in the PHRF C Division.

All the winning Doyle Sails were designed and crafted in North America. Call your local Doyle loft and start winning.

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Learn more about Viper 640 or Ultimate 20 sails

Congratulations to Doyle customers Joe Brownley on Shokran and Ed Crook on Strathspey for their wins in the Farr 1020 Nationals held April 21-22, 2012.

Shokran was the overall winner this year and showed impressive speed and consistency in the often frustrating conditions to record their win. And congratulations to Strathspey who took the handicap title.

Both boats sported Doyle inventories, including Doyle Stratis Genoas. Shokran has the GPx, Carbon/Technora, Race Genoa with a clear Film/Film laminate. While Strathspey has the GPc, All Kevlar Genoa, with a single layer of Taffeta for improved durability.

Congratulations again to both Joe & Ed for their impressive results!

The Farr 1020 is a one design 10.2 meter racing/cruising keelboat that originated from the drawing board of Bruce Farr in 1983. The Farr 1020 is a recognized National Keelboat class in New Zealand. While most of the over 150 Farr 1020′s built are located in New Zealand, a number can also be found in Australia, the Pacific Islands and the United States.

Altaeros Energies, a wind energy company formed out of MIT, announced that it has demonstrated high altitude power production from an automated prototype of its airborne wind turbine.

The company recently completed testing of a 35-foot scale prototype of the Altaeros Airborne Wind Turbine (AWT) at the Loring Commerce Center in Limestone, Maine. The prototype, fabricated in partnership with Doyle Sailmakers of Salem, Massachusetts, achieved several key milestones. The AWT climbed up 350 feet high, produced power at altitude, and landed in an automated cycle. In addition, the prototype lifted the top-selling Southwest Skystream turbine to produce over twice the power at high altitude than generated at conventional tower height. The turbine was successfully transported and deployed into the air from a towable docking trailer.

Altaeros is developing its first product to reduce energy costs by up to 65 percent by harnessing the stronger winds found over 1,000 feet high and reducing installation time from weeks to days. In addition, it is designed to have virtually no environmental or noise impact and to require minimal maintenance. The Altaeros AWT will displace expensive fuel used to power diesel generators at remote industrial, military, and village sites. In the long term, Altaeros plans to scale up the technology to reduce costs in the offshore wind market.

“For decades, wind turbines have required cranes and huge towers to lift a few hundred feet off the ground where winds can be slow and gusty,” explained Ben Glass, the inventor of the AWTand Altaeros Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to demonstrate that modern inflatable materials can lift wind turbines into more powerful winds almost everywhere—with a platform that is cost competitive and easy to setup from a shipping container.”

The AWT uses a helium-filled, inflatable shell to ascend to higher altitudes where winds are more consistent and over five times stronger than those reached by traditional tower-mounted turbines. Strong tethers hold the AWT steady and send electricity down to the ground.

The lifting technology is adapted from aerostats, industrial cousins of passenger blimps that for decades have lifted heavy communications and radar equipment into the air for long periods of time. Aerostats are rated to survive hurricane-level winds and have safety features that ensure a slow descent to the ground.

The emerging airborne or “high altitude” wind sector was recently featured on the cover of the March 2011 issue of Popular Mechanics. In December 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released draft guidelines allowing the new class of airborne wind systems to be sited under existing regulation.

Altaeros Energies is currently seeking partners to join its effort to launch the first commercially- available high altitude wind turbine in the world.

Altaeros Energies was founded in 2010 to generate low cost renewable energy by harnessing the strong winds found at higher altitudes. Altaeros Energies won the 2011 ConocoPhillips Energy Prize, and has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the California Energy Commission, and the Maine Technology Institute.

Source: Press Release

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Doyle Sailmakers, Inc.
96 Swampscott Rd.
Salem, MA 01970
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Please join us for refreshments and an entertaining Grace with Speed – Sailors’ Night at the Doyle Sailmakers loft in Salem, MA.

Chris Museler, a freelance journalist, will bring us up-to-date on the evolution of classic boat racing.  His highly energetic presentation will allow us to all watch the summer classics racing off of Marblehead with new eyes.

Brian Hancock and Vlad Murnikov will present SpeedDream – a different way of thinking about boats and their relationship to wind, water and ultimately the speed at which they sail.

Join us for an evening of great sailing footage of Grace With Speed!