I have always wondered how they managed the wing sails. I would surely be afraid that a capsize would damage the wing.
Also, if it was parked on the beach with the wing up, did the owner get any sleep at all ? I would be very afraid that a gust would hit the boat and capzise/damage it. Raising/lowering the wing every time like the C class ?
The "wing boat" never (to anyone's memory) came close to tipping over. While the softsail boat masts ranged in the 30-32 foot length, the wing was right around 28 feet. Also with the controls, Craig could "power up or down" simply by changing the camber in the wing. Given the platform weighed less than 300 lbs. the wind forces simply were translated in forward speed.
Between races at regatta the wing was allowed to swing free. Since it is symetrical, equal pressure on both sides, so no violent thrashing about like a soft sail. Remember, the thrashing on your softsail takes place because the wind is on one side, then the other causing camber to flop back and forth!
In the evenings, the boat was simply laid on it's side with sail tip on an old (ugly green vinyl) kitchen chair. If weather report indicated bad weather or rain, the sail was just detached from the platform and stored in the covered trailer used to haul wing, hulls, etc.
The Square - both wing and softsail "loves" to park between races. Travel out, sheet in and push tiller away. The boat just sits there. When ready to bail out to start, simply pull tiller towards yoou, the bows swing away from the wind, and sheet traveller in. While parked, it was an enjoyable platform to sit on between races. No banging around on the waves, no flapping jib or main, and no bouncing around with the hulls. Until you have sat on a wide platform, it is hard to describe.
