Improved Performance SO45DS with Furling Main.

[ianpowolny]

This winter we added a Darglow Featherstream prop and Vektran mainsail. We have been surprised at how much more efficiently Affinity sails. Yesterday we were in 1 to 3 mt seas with up to 30 knots of wind and Affinity was just pushed through with less heeling and we were making up to 8.5 knots with an average of 7 plus knots. Now to find the money for that new Genoa!!! Ian

[vasko]

In strong winds all boats go fast at 30kn of wind you should reach your hull speed... no matter prop or sails to be honest 

the real measure is in low winds e.g. at 6 to 7 kn wind how fast the boat is going - my 34 feet heavy cruiser with carbon reinforced mesh sails and folding prop ( the previous owner managed to get main+ genoa for1800 EUR from a windsurf sail maker near Murcia) - the best results that I can get is 4.8kn boat speed at 6.6kn wind and I have seen up to 10.4kn boat speed with average 9.5kn with wind of 24kn when I'm brave enough to not reef at this winds  

[Janissah]

Hi Ian

Can you tell me more about the mainsail? Believe you have Z Spars fuller like me. Do you have battens in the sail? How are they measuring up?

BR

Mario

[ianpowolny]

The new main sail is working out very well. We've had 3 sails with it so far with wind speeds from 8 knots to 30 knots. We are well reefed in at the higher wind speeds.

I am now glad we didn't go with battens. At 8 - 10 knots of wind we are getting 5-6 knots boat speed. Last year we would have given up sailing and would have used the Genoa. The new mainsail furls and unfurls with easy and sail shape is good. We have also added a double block at the foot of the mast for the furling and unfurling lines. With the two single blocks we had previously they sometimes interfered and reduced furling efficiency. That problem no longer happens.

We are very pleased with our purchase. Ian

[Janissah]

Ian

would you please tell me who made the mainsail for you. Also would appreciate it if u could send me some pics of sails and double block arrangement

thanks and regards

mario

[ianpowolny]

Mario

Here is a photo of the main reefed in 20kt winds and making around 7kts(SOG), with a maximum of 9.2kts(SOG). There has been some stretch from our last sail so I need to tighten the luff.

The sail was made by Peter Sanders of Sanders Sail in Lymington and delivered to Viviero, Spain for £70. You need to check out Kemp as well as they also made some good sails for people on this Forum.

I also include a photo of the double block arrangement; the blue fleck is the outhaul and the red fleck the furling line.





I do believe that a lot of performance improvement has come from adding the feathering prop. We used to feel a kind of sideways kick on high seas but this has gone since we changed the prop.

With both changes we definitely have more drive in all sea conditions.

Ian

[bigred]

May 18, 2015 16:00:41 GMT Janissah said:

Hi Ian

Can you tell me more about the mainsail? Believe you have Z Spars fuller like me. Do you have battens in the sail? How are they measuring up?

BR

Mario

Not entirely correct Mario. With poorly cut or worn sails you will struggle to trim and sail well. Obviously this would be most noticeable heading upwind where you will struggle to point, slide sideways and heel. You may reach you hull speed, but your VMG and enjoyment will suffer.

I suspect a lot of cruisers tolerate tired sails because of a preference for downwind or trade sailing, and of course the ever present (or lack of) financial issues.

[Janissah]

Dear Ian

Thank you for the advice, my mainsail still has some life left in it but I will be following your lead.

Thanks for the pointers, please feel free to email if you come Maltaways