Sand-sailer



Sand-sailers are the primary form of transportation used by the sandbenders. They are often made of wood and have runners that slide across the sand and sails to catch the hot, wild desert winds. The sandbender pilots use their bending to help steer and propel the sailors by creating whirling columns of sand which generate wind. While not ideal for transporting large amounts of cargo or great numbers of people, the sand-sailers are agile, handle nimbly, and can traverse great expanses of desert wasteland quickly and with minimal effort.

History
After Ghashiun and his friends kidnapped Appa, Team Avatar was forced to cross the Si Wong Desert on foot. While walking, Toph discovered a sand-sailer by accidentally kicking it and feeling the vibrations run through it. This sailer was buried under the sand by Appa when the bison tried desperately to free himself from his ropes. Aang quickly excavated the boat with his airbending so the group could use it to traverse the desert more quickly. Instead of using sandbending to propel the sand-sailer, Aang provided a strong gust of wind to propel it.

When Aang later learned that Ghashiun and his friend were responsible for the kidnapping and selling of Appa, he entered the Avatar State and destroyed the sandbenders' sand-sailers.

Trivia

 * Sand-sailers look very similar to catamarans.