Tom Berger wrote in message . ..
(Parallax) schrieb:

What would happen if you put up a very large helium filled balloon
several hundred ft where there is really good wind, say in the trade
winds and attached it to your deck? Could you steer?

Do you mean something similar like that:
http://www.skysails.de/en/home.html

T:-)m Berger

Hmm, I see Useless idea #3438 (based on Useless Idea #3732)coming on
......

So, connect the skysail to the craft using the "dacron 12 mm caving
rope with 4 copper wire conductors down the center" to allow you to
power the navigation light which will be mounted on the sail (to avoid
collisions with low flying aircraft) ;-)

Mark