The earliest text describing the Chinese use of mounting masts and sails on large vehicles is the Book of the Golden Hall Master written by the Daoist scholar and crown prince Xiao Yi, who later became Emperor Yuan of Liang. European travelers from the 16th century onwards mentioned sailing carriages with surprise. The modern land yacht, a four-wheeled polyester/fibreglass and metal cart, often with a wing-mast and relatively rigid (full-batten) sails, has been used since 1960. In the US, annual competitions are held by local clubs and by NALSA, the North American Landsailing Association.
