asymetric furler

[joeh]

hi all
does anyone fly a asymetric kite off a furler?
any comments as to its ease of use, performance etc?

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[qsiv]

Yes, runs fine. We've got two, a Code 0, and a reacher. The concept is much less likely to work well for down wind sails - on two counts.

Firstly downwind sails would have a longer luff - and it is vital (beyond your wildest dreams) to be able to get some real luff tension to have a straight luff before you furl, and this wouldnt be possible with a longer luffed sail.

Secondly, and directly related to the first, the luff needs to be able to transmit torque, otherwise the tack will be furling dozens of turns before the head. At best this is messy, at worst you can create 'knots' (think what happens to a rubber band). We have a Vectran luff rope on the reacher (adds a lot of weight as well), the Code 0 has twin spectra ropes. The Code 0 works better than the reacher, but both work well.

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[joeh]

thanks qsiv
i think u are spot on with your analysis
so i will stick with my present 'manual' system

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[Keen_Ed]

Check out

http://www.rollgen.com/index_e.htm

No connection, just something I saw at LIBS.

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[Close hauled]

What is a Code 0?

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[joeh]

code 0 is like a upwind spinnaker i think

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[qsiv]

Right. It's really a rule bending sail. It measures as a spinnaker (i.e half width greater than a percentage of foot length), but is designed to be carried much closer to the wind than a normal spinnaker. We carry ours to about 35 degrees apparent angle - If the wind is really light (<5 knots) we wouldnt bother (unless we are plugging a foul tide) dropping it and sailing closer with a jib as the boatspeed drops off hugely. The sail is significantly smaller than a regular asy (in our case 2000 sq ft against 3000), but much bigger than our 105% jib.

Not a forgiving sail to trim or sail to, but very rewarding when it's right. We have to drop ours at 13 to 14 knots apparent windspeed - by then we're either flying a jib, or sailing freer with an ordinary asymmetric.

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[Close hauled]

Thanks for that - I now understand. I felt that we were pretty cool when we got our new 1100 sq ft tri-radial cruising chute, but it sounds tiny compared to your stuff!

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