Smartkat
Smartkat is an inflatable sailing catamaran for recreational use and regattas and can be sailed by beginners to professional sailors. The catamaran can be transported in two panniers.
history
The boat was presented in 2005 at the ISPO (international trade fair for sporting goods and sports fashion) in Munich . It was designed by Kurt Heiligenmann. During the development of the mobile catamaran, particular emphasis was placed on weight, pack size, assembly time, sailing characteristics and seaworthiness (Beaufort 6: strong winds and rough seas). The company was officially founded in 2006. Production takes place in Steyr (Austria) and marketing / sales in Munich.
CE certification
The Smartkat after CE module A as a class C (coastal waters) and Class D (inland waters) certified
C : Wind force up to and including 6 Beaufort. Wave height up to and including 2 m. Designed for trips in coastal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers, where weather conditions with a wind force of up to and including 6 and wave heights of up to and including 2 m can occur.
D: Wind force up to and including 4 Beaufort. Wave height up to and including 0.3 m. Designed for trips in protected coastal waters, small bays, on small lakes, narrow rivers and canals in which weather conditions with a wind force up to and including 4 and significant wave heights up to and including 0.3 m and occasionally wave heights of maximum 0.5 m, for example due to passing ships.
Technical information
The Smartkat is designed for up to 4 people. The patented construction allows assembly time within 20 minutes without any tools (dismantling takes less time). The Smartkat has a central sword and thus enables precise steering and turning. When turning, the Smartkat turns around its own sword. Due to the low weight of the catamaran, the hulls have little resistance in the water. Due to the bracing of the sword, the large lateral forces that arise on the sword at high speeds can be absorbed without stressing the trampoline frame and the central sword. The forces that arise at the bowsprit are absorbed by steel cables. There are no deforming transverse forces acting on the floating bodies, which are inherently flexible, they only serve for buoyancy. In addition to stabilizing the sword, the patented tensioning of the central sword, bowsprit and mast also counteracts any twisting of the trampoline. The Smartkat has a release mechanism for the sword and rudder when touching the ground. The sword and rudder are automatically caught up.
The weight of the bags with approx. 25 kg (depending on the model) is not only an advantage when transporting the catamaran. The total weight of max. 50 kg makes it easier to handle the assembled boat (single-handed sailing). The Smartkat can be transported, used and pulled out of the water by one person.
Models
The original model has been further developed since 2006 while maintaining the general characteristics. Older models can be retrofitted with new components. The individual models differ mainly in the length of the hulls. Compared to the standard hulls, there is the Smartkat Racing with 5 m long hulls. These counteract the pressure of the jib, which would push the bow of the catamaran into the water and brake the catamaran. To counteract this, the large-volume 5m hulls offer improved buoyancy, especially in the bow area. This prevents immersion and there is much less splashing water. The boat starts planing faster and higher speeds are possible.
The second major difference is the size of the sail. The standard sail is 9.9 m 2 and the performance sail is 10.2 m 2 .
history
In 2003 Kurt Heiligenmann created the first Smartkat design for transporting a boat in a suitcase. In 2005 the Smartkat was presented as a world premiere at the ISPO in Munich. In 2006 the Smartkat company was founded in Steyr / Austria.
In 2007 the first Smartkat generation was launched, in 2008 the "White Edition", 2012 the "Black Edition", 2014 the Edition "Rainbow Sailing Team", 2015 the Edition "Sailing Team" and 2016 the 2nd Smartkat generation. In 2017 there was a Smartkat brand relaunch and a new logo.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ patent specification
- ↑ Directive 2013/53 / EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 20, 2013 on recreational craft and personal watercraft and repealing Directive 94/25 / EC
- ↑ [1]