Global InformationBlokart information
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The Blokart is a popular one-design class of small compact land yacht, manufactured by the New Zealand-based company Blokart International Ltd.[1]
They can be quickly disassembled and packed into a carry-bag giving them a high degree of portability and are designed to be particularly easy to learn to sail and safe to use. Leisure sailing is common on beaches, gravel, grass and other flat surface in many parts of the world - but Blokart racing is also developing as a competitive international sport, with organised racing including national championships in several countries and a biennial world championship. Since 2015, the America's Cup community sailing initiative, Endeavour, has used Blokarts to begin training sailors as young as 8 years old.[2] Blokarting programs and academies also train parapalegic and other disabled sailors that have lower body limitations, as Blokarting relies on upper body muscular ability similar to a wheelchair.
Blokarts are considered human-powered, as movement is initiated through manual resistance on the sheet rope, and wind does not actually propel them but it is the pressure difference created on either side of the sail when the sheet rope is pulled (high pressure on the side towards the wind, and low pressure on the side away from the wind).[3] Likewise, releasing the sheet rope will cause the blokart to come to a stop. Disc brakes are also available to aid in immediate stopping. Blokarts are not defined as vehicles under most existing regulations, and Transport Canada defines a sailboat as being a Human Powered Craft.[4]
- ^ Blokart Website
- ^ https://www.windcheckmagazine.com/article/blokart_joins_america_s_cup_endeavour_program/
- ^ https://bai.nz/blokart-sailing/tips-and-tweaks/physics-of-blokart-sailing/
- ^ https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/getting-started-safe-boating/operating-human-powered-craft