Science in Action
MAINSAIL (SAIL OF THE
LANDSAILER)
PARTS OF A LANDSIALER
You have now built your own land
sailer and before you start operating
it, it is good idea to learn the different
parts and their respective functions.
Mainstay - This holds the mast in
position.
Mast - This holds the sail up.
Mainsail - The sail of the landsailer.
Mainsheet - This controls the angle
of the mainsail. Adjust the stays so
that the mast is on the centerline of
the landsailer, and the mast is
slightly racked backwards as shown.
Boom - Gives the mainsail shape and
control.
MAINSTAY
MAST
BOOM
MAINSHEET
EYELET
EYELET
SAILING
You need an open outdoor space where you can operate your Landsailer. Try to find a space
away from buildings, where the wind can blow smoothly (buildings make the wind swirl
around). You also need a smooth surface to sail your landsailer, such as a tarmac driveway
or concrete area.
e
Can’t sail
in this
area
ha
e
ule
Cl
os
d
Re
ac
h
Reaching
oa
d
ule
os
ha
Cl
d
Wind
Br
Now try sailing across the wind.
Shorten the line so that long spar is
at 45° to the body. Set the
Landsailer so that it is at right angles
to the wind. Let go and watch the
Landsailer speed along. Landsailer
will go fastest sailing like this. This
sailing position is called a beam
reach. See the diagram of the points
of sailing to find out how to set the
sail to sail in different directions to
the wind. This diagram shows the
different angles of sailing and at
what angle the boom should be in
relation to the wind. Remember
reaching will be the fastest point of
sailing for your landsailer! Note that
Landsailer can’t sail straight into the
wind.
Br
oa
Reaching
Beam
Reach
d
Re
E. TROUBLESHOOTING
• If the Landsailer does not roll along smoothly, the wheels may not be turning freely. First
check that the wheels can turn freely. Then lubricate the places where the axles are in
contact with their supports. You can use cooking oil for this. The oil will reduce friction
between the axles and the supports.
• If the sail is flapping, adjust the sail so that the wind fills it. Check the diagram of the points
of sailing to make sure you have set the sails properly. Remember that Landsailer cannot sail
straight into the wind.
Your Landsailer is a scaled down version of a full scaled landsailer (or land yacht). You will be
amazed at how fast your model will sail, in even a gentle breeze. You will also see that the
speed your Landsailer depends on the angle of the sail to the breeze.
Mast Design - The mast of your Landsailer has been specially designed to flex (bend) when
the wind increases to allow some of the air to spill. In a gust of wind you will notice the mast
bending to the side. This helps to stop the Landsailer from toppling over.
G. FUN FACTS
• Your Landsailer is model of a vehicle called a land yacht. People sail their land yachts on
beaches, field and airfields.
• The world’s fastest land yacht is Greenbird. On 26 March 2009, Greenbird reached a
staggering 202.9 km/h (126.1 mph), using just the wind!
• The largest racing land yachts are Class 2 yachts, which have masts up to 8 metres high.
They reach speeds up to 100 km/h (60 mph).
• There are all sorts of land vehicles powered by the wind. A speedsail is an all-terrain board
(like a giant skateboard) with a windsurfer sail on top.
• Kite buggies (also known as parakarts) are pulled along by giant kites.
F. HOW IT WORKS
When the wind is behind Landsailer (when Landsailer is on a ‘run’), the wind presses on the
sail, and the sail pushes Landsailer along. On a ‘ beam reach’, the wind pushes the sail at 45°
to the direction that Landsailer is moving. Some of this push makes Landsailer move. When
Landsailer is ‘close-hauled’, the sail works a bit like a plane’s wing — the wind blowing around
it pulls sideways, which makes Landsailer move.
The sport of landsailing is moving across the land in a wheeled vehicle powered by the wind.
A landsailer is usually a three-wheeled machine that only works on flat land, such as beaches
and roads. The Chinese used wind-driven carriages in the 6th century AD. The Egyptians used
wind driven carriages in the 7th century. They put wheels on platforms and attached large
sails to power them over flat deserts. Landsailers were also used for military purposes in the
16th century. By today's standards these were primitive machines. We now understand how
the aerofoil shape of sails works. Today's landsailers are very efficient and can travel up to
four times as fast as the speed of the wind.
WIND POWERED
LANDSAILER
WARNING
choking hazard - small parts
not for children under 3 years.
to parents: please read through
these instructions before giving
gudiance to your children.
A. SAFETY MESSAGES
1. This kit is intended for children aged over 10 years and over.
2. Adult supervision is advised at all times.
3. This kit and its finished product contain small parts which may cause choking if misused. Keep
away from children under 3 years old.
B. CONTENTS
1 rear axle support
The sail of a landsailer is its engine — it's what drives the vehicle forward. The sail forms an
aerofoil shape, with high pressure on the side the wind blows on (the windward side) and low
pressure on the other side (the leeward side). This difference in pressure sucks the sail
forward. In most points of sailing a landsailer can travel considerably faster that the wind. As
the speed of a landsailer builds then the wind blows faster around the sail, and so the
landsailer goes even faster. But if your Landsailer sails in the direction of the wind, the wind
on the sail becomes slower as the Landsailer speeds up. A beam reach, at 90° to the wind is
normally the fastest point of sailing. If the Landsailer is pointing straight into the wind, the sail
flaps, and provides no power.
1 main sail
1 body
Nylon string for making the
forestay and the mainsheet
1 front wheel with support
1 long axle
ac
2 rear wheels
1 short axle
h
1 mast base connector
1 top spar
1 mast connector
metal eyelets
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
41-03911/4
D. OPERATION
1 boom
We value you as a customer and your satisfaction with this product is important to us. If
you have comments or questions, or you find any part of this kit missing or defective, please
do not hesitate to contact our distributor in your country. You will find the address printed
on the package. You are also welcome to contact our Marketing Support Team: Email:
[email protected], Fax (852) 25911566, Tel: (852) 28936241, Web site: WWW.4MIND.COM
©2010 4M Industrial Development Limited. All rights reserved.
1 mast top (shorter rod)
screws
1 mast base (longer rod)
Also needed, but not included in this kit: a small cross-head screwdriver
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C. ASSEMBLY
1. Drop the front wheel assembly into place on the underside of
the body. Secure it with 3pcs screws.
9. Put the mast connector over the top of the mast bottom.
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12
10. Slot one end of the mast top (shorter rod) into the mast connector.
2. Put the rear axle support in place under the rear of the body.
Secure it with four screws.
11. Slip the tube of the sail over the mast, starting at the wide end of the sail.
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3. Slide the rear axle through the metal eyelets in the rear axle
support.
12. Push the short spar onto the top of the mast.
13. Cut a piece of line 10 cm long. Thread the line through the hole in the end of the short
spar and through the eye in top corner of the sail. Tie the ends together to attach the spar
to the sail.
4. Push a rear wheel onto one end of the axle. You will need to
push on the other end of the axle as you do this.
14. Cut another piece of line 10 cm long. Thread the line through the hole in the end of the
long spar and through the eye in bottom corner of the sail. Tie the ends together to attach
the spar to the sail.
5. Push the other rear wheel onto the other end of the axle.
Make sure that the axle and wheels can spin freely.
6. Slot the mast base (longer rod) to the mast base connector.
15. Cut a piece of line 80 cm long. Tie one end to the extrusion point at the front of the body
(this works like a winch in a sailing boat). Tie the other end to the hole in the short spar near
the mast top. The line should be taut, but should not make the mast bend forwards. This will
make the "main stay". Adjusting the main stay (and the mainsheet too) is important to
operating your Landsailer. The length of them will affect the angle of the mast and the main
sail thus affecting the speed and direction under different wind condition. To adjust its length,
tie a simple knot around the extrusion point. (It is not necessary to tie double knots as later
you will need to release the knot for adjusting the length and angle of the sail under different
wind directions.) Then wind the line around the extrusion point for a few times. Then tie a
simple knot again to secure the line in positions.
7. Slide the loop of the boom over the mast base so that it rests
on the ridge on the mast base.
8. Slot the mast base into its hole on the body.
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16. Cut a piece of line 30 cm long. Tie one end to the ring at the end of the boom. This makes
the mainsheet. Refer to step 15 for adjusting the length of the mainsheet.
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That’s it. Your Landsailer is ready to go!
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