Overlapping headsails and small main

[geem]

Did anybody suggest that it was?

Not in so many words but chalk n cheese springs to mind

 

[Daydream believer]

Not in so many words but chalk n cheese springs to mind

You see, You are making it all up. You will be applying for a job with the Daily Mail next.

 

[geem]

You see, You are making it all up. You will be applying for a job with the Daily Mail next.

Na, jobs are over rated. Been retired for the last 8 years

 

[Daydream believer]

Na, jobs are over rated. Been retired for the last 8 years

So you are to blame for the government's complaint about the loss of mature labour force not working.

 

[Praxinoscope]

So you are to blame for the government's complaint about the loss of mature labour force not working.

I suppose I should accept some blame as well, although I did work until I was seventy, but I felt the it time for the younger staff to take over, this combined with the rapid onslaught of digital technology in my field of expertise photo-chemical imaging it seemed a good time to go sailing instead.

 

[Daydream believer]

I suppose I should accept some blame as well, although I did work until I was seventy, but I felt the it time for the younger staff to take over, this combined with the rapid onslaught of digital technology in my field of expertise photo-chemical imaging it seemed a good time to go sailing instead.

I went on to 72 (but only in the winter months) I was asked to go back last year for 4 weeks (75) to review some past projects, but the wife put her foot down, so that was the end of it. But I do still keep my professional qualifications going- Just in case.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Bloody hell you guys, we gave up that work malarkey at 55, my wife was 51 when she retired. I cannot imagine working at a job now. Far too busy with the house(huge refurbishment) and sailing.

 

[geem]

So you are to blame for the government's complaint about the loss of mature labour force

yawn

 

[samfieldhouse]

Does anyone know of any research or figures (or even anecdotal experience) on the amount of extra drive added by the overlapping section of a big genoa? In other words, the last 40% of a 140% sale or whatever.
As I understand it, the masthead / huge Genoa rig emerged from rating rules that measured the fore triangle not the foresail area, so that the overlap was in effect 'free' in rating terms; intuitively I wouldn't expect it to add drive in proportion to its area, given that it's at the back end of the curve of the sail so it runs almost parallel to the centreline.
I suppose I'm wondering, is it possible to quantify the loss of power from using a 100% foresail on a masthead rig that could take a 140%?

This is also my understanding. My 1979 Cobra has a 150% genoa. Her sail plan was originally for 5 headsails and a spinnaker - where you'd keep a wardrobe like that on a 28ft boat I have no idea
The 150% can be a bit of a pain. I feel a bit validated actually by the person who said that in wind speeds above 14kts its not practical - I've found this out myself.
I spoke to Kemps about it, and their feeling was that dropping below 135% would adversely affect performance as it is the main driving sail.
When it reaches the end of its life, I'll be tempted to go for something a little smaller, and flatter - because lets face it we're always beating into wind - maybe with a padded luff.
I've found a sweet-ish spot where it will reef and maintain a bit of shape, so its not impossible - a shame though because the boat does point well.

It amuses me that sail 'fashion' is almost back to where it was 100 years ago; huge roachy main sails and small headsails, not unlike gaffers.
I guess all these small self tacking headsails help make the case for selling expensive but trendy Code 0s though

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Gaffers used to run something in between a code 0 and an asymmetric. A blooper.

 

[samfieldhouse]

Gaffers used to run something in between a code 0 and an asymmetric. A blooper.

Just googled that and revealed some pretty insane sail plans. More info here.

 

[Daydream believer]

I used to love flying the blooper when I was on the foredeck back in the 70/80s. Racing EAORA. We spent more time rolling all over the place, than making headway, but it was hairy fun & we were not paying the bills. Getting it down, twin pole gybing, then back up again, in winds that were far to high were really exciting up front. Lots of screaming at the back end. Especially when some twat decided it was the wrong move & we should be back on the other gybe.
The owner used to get a bit upset though

 

[Zing]

There is a modern trend in cruising yachts to go for wide powerful lightweight hulls, 90% to 110% self tacking or almost self tacking headsails for upwind. They also have a good ability to create their own apparent wind in light airs and so they sail deep, but never downwind. It’s faster, simpler and more stable. Many new yachts don’t even have a spinnaker pole on the options list and manage instead with code zeros and genakers, often furling versions.

 

[geem]

Bloody hell you guys, we gave up that work malarkey at 55, my wife was 51 when she retired. I cannot imagine working at a job now. Far too busy with the house(huge refurbishment) and sailing.

I gave up at 51

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I gave up at 51

To quote a well known seaside character. ‘That’s the way to do it!’

 

[RunAgroundHard]

To quote a well known seaside character. ‘That’s the way to do it!’

But not everyone who would like to can retire early. Maybe less so going forward. The 50 and 55 year old retirees will be statistical outliers.

For the majority of us, retiring older, what is far more important than early retirement for enjoyment of our sailing, is health and fitness. It is never too late to improve health and fitness through lifestyle choices. The human body responds favourably to good health and fitness choices at any age.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

But not everyone who would like to can retire early. Maybe less so going forward. The 50 and 55 year old retirees will be statistical outliers.

For the majority of us, retiring older, what is far more important than early retirement for enjoyment of our sailing, is health and fitness. It is never too late to improve health and fitness through lifestyle choices. The human body responds favourably to good health and fitness choices at any age.

Agreed, The aim is active years in retirement, age is just a number. My wife retired early as she has rheumatoid arthritis.