Motor cruiser sail

[Guest]

My trawler yacht has a small "steadying sail" it's quite substantial and I would guess not simply for show, although fixed to a heavy boom it would not readily go far off the forward-aft position.
Can anyone please advise me when to deploy it?

Bernie

 

[Twister_Ken]

If it replicates the function of a steadying sail on a real fishing boat it should be up almost all the time. When making a passage it acts as an "airbrake" to help damp out rollling. When laying to nets or to an anchor it keeps the bows of the boat into the wind.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ken, on reflection I guess it cannot do much harm to leave it up whilst cruising whatever the wind direction.

I just didn't want to look the "sailing" rookie I am!

(does this mean I can tack in front of....... ?? methinks it's best I don't open this line of thought!)

Bernie

 

[castaway]

Bernie

I think in addition to what Ken says you will find that the sail is cut almost totally flat and would never be expected to give any serious drive.

As it is intended really only to weathercock the boat and damp roll, the boom would normally be sheeted hard amidships.

[Are you intending to use it next time around Portland?]

Regards Nick

 

[Guest]

Portland

Next time I go near Portland will be in a motorhome, so I'm told.

or alone.....!!

 

[jimi]

Re: Portland

Is there a wee story here you wish to share with us?

Jim

 

[Guest]

Re: Portland

Er.... I thought I would take the "inner passage" around springs last week and arrived a couple of hours too early. Got that wrong. Gave the holiday makers around the lighthouse something to watch.

"What inner passage?" do I hear!

It'll be better when I get my bus tokens......

 

[jimi]

Re: Portland

I sail occasionally with a chap who had the misfortune to take his wife through the middle of it albeit at neaps. He's got a photo of her frenetically blowing up the inflatable lifejackets! Do'nt think she's been sailing since!

Jim

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: steadying sail

It will also make you more visible to other boats, especially if its that nice Burgundy colour.

God - I wish it would stop raining!

 

[Guest]

Re: Portland

All I dare say is that her flower arrangement will never look the same again. Maybe a trip to H. Samuel will rectify matters, or perhaps one of those nice sea horse broaches fron the Lifeboat catalogue......

 

[Guest]

Re: steadying sail

It's sort of whitish but if I dyed it burgundy it might hide the rust stains.
Do you think painting a number (racing?) on it would be cool??