Sailing has long been recognized as one of those few physical activities where people with disabilities can compete on the same level as those without, and now Scanstrut, working in cooperation with boatbuilder RS Sailing, has made it possible for even those who are severely handicapped to take a small boat out on their own. At the heart of the RS Venture Connect Para Sailing System conversion kit is a watertight rechargeable battery and control pack that can be charged up on shore and then quickly hooked up to the motors connected to the boat’s rudders and a captive winch trimming the main. The control pack, in turn, can be operated by either a joystick or sip-puff headset, depending on the extent of the skipper’s disability. This kind of flexibility means the boat can be configured to suit virtually all types and levels of disabilities. In developing the new system, Scanstrut also emphasized ease of use, with IPX7 fast-fit plugs and connectors throughout, and low cost, with an eye toward making it affordable for the many sailing schools out there. Most important of all, the final product looks like a hell of a lot of fun, which is, after all, what sailing is all about no matter whatever kind of shape you’re in. Good on ya, guys! The world has truly been made a better place for your efforts. $NA. Scanstrut Ltd., scanstrut.com
Back to 2018 Pittman Innovation Awards
February 2018
