1 This 1953 Hydrojet from the Kermath Manufacturing Co. inhaled water from behind the nozzle. Kermath claimed a discharge rate of 1,100 gallons per minute. As is common today, the helm steered the nozzle through 360 degrees.
4 Gas turbine engines similar to this General Electric T58 made their marine debut with Donald Campbell’s record-setting Bluebird. Nowadays, gas turbines power the Unlimited Hydroplanes and a variety of high-speed superyachts.
5 The most significant advances in the propulsion of sailboats have come from the sailcloth, and the 3DL from North Sails. Introduced in 1992, this technology thermo-molds sails as a unitary membrane on a full-size 3-dimensional mold. A 3DL sail stretches less for its weight, holds its shape over a wider range of wind speeds and retains its designed shape longer.