Parasail experiences

[oldvarnish]

There's an interesting thread running on spinnakers v chutes and the Parasail was mentioned.

I thought it might be useful to share experiences in another thread.

I'm happy with mine, but perhaps not as competent as I might wish.

 

[Seajet]

I have no experience with parasails but they look interesting; does the wind spilling system really work to avoid the snag with spinnakers, ie pulling the boat over by the masthead if one gets it wrong / is unlucky ?

 

[oldvarnish]

I have no experience with parasails but they look interesting; does the wind spilling system really work to avoid the snag with spinnakers, ie pulling the boat over by the masthead if one gets it wrong / is unlucky ?

I'm pleased to say I've never found out. One claimed advantage of the 'mouth' is that it evens out the effects of gusts and makes the whole thing more stable. I have to say that once it's up and drawing it shows less tendency to sway to and fro than I remember with spinnakers, even if flown without a pole.

 

[Lakesailor]

Ask TCM. He seems to have experience.

 

[[70521]]

There's an interesting thread running on spinnakers v chutes and the Parasail was mentioned.

Thanks for raising this oldvarninsh, I suggested them on the other thread you mentioned and would be interested in hearing peoples experiences using them.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Thanks for raising this oldvarninsh, I suggested them on the other thread you mentioned and would be interested in hearing peoples experiences using them.

Me too, funnily enough, SWMBO asked me this very morning what I thought of the Parasail for our boat rather than our cruising chute?
I did suggest a roller furler gennaker/removable bowsprit combination. Hmmmmm:eagerness::eagerness:

 

[lpdsn]

I've just played with one once on a 57 footer. Owner invited a few racers on-board to help him with the sea trials. More stable and more tolerant of poor trim than an ordinary symmetric.

 

[oldvarnish]

Me too, funnily enough, SWMBO asked me this very morning what I thought of the Parasail for our boat rather than our cruising chute?
I did suggest a roller furler gennaker/removable bowsprit combination. Hmmmmm:eagerness::eagerness:

I've been wondering if you could put a Parasail on a furler, and I'm not certain. That would certainly be a win/win for you.

 

[rwoofer]

Ask TCM. He seems to have experience.

+1 and I seem to recall he was quite positive about them

 

[[70521]]

I've been wondering if you could put a Parasail on a furler, and I'm not certain. That would certainly be a win/win for you.

I wonder if a top down furler might work?

I've just played with one once on a 57 footer. Owner invited a few racers on-board to help him with the sea trials. More stable and more tolerant of poor trim than an ordinary symmetric.

Thanks lpdsn.

From what little I have seen of them it is a sail that might suit a single handed long distance voyage as they 'maybe' more forgiving than a traditional sail.

I can see long discussions with several sailmakers and sailors who have used them about their good and bad points coming up.

 

[Topcat47]

I have a parasail on my Nic 26. I often sail single handed and it's much more manageable than my Spinnaker (even with a crew) despite being a bigger sail. It makes downwind sailing more stable, and in light winds keeps me sailing closer to hull speed than any other setup I've experienced. It's quite easy to rig and , depending on point of sail you have to watch to keep the tack and clew approximately level. The sail works on points of sail from dead run to broad reach and I often rig it and drop the main.

You can't use it on a roller reefing system as it doesn't work "inside out". When single handing, jibing takes a little more time and careful planning when single handing but I find it quite possible to achieve in the Solent on a busy weekend. I'd not dare use the spiny under similar circumstances.

I returned from Cherbourg one weekend during the fist year I had it and failed to realise the wind had increased to F6 due to the large swell. It was gusting more and I was reluctant to go on the foredeck to dowse the sail but it was OK, both the rig and the sail withstood the gusts and I was able to sort myself out in comfort once we'd reached the Solent. I'd not recommend this though, I'd normally have had a couple of reefs in the main and a few rolls on the genoa without the parasail.

I wish I'd bought it when I first thought about it instead of withering for a couple of years, it's my favourite sail and I actively plan my sailing so as to use it if possible.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

I've been wondering if you could put a Parasail on a furler, and I'm not certain. That would certainly be a win/win for you.

Cheers OV, that would be a 10/10 solution, I intend to monitor this thread to glean all experiences- it's shape suggests r/f may only be a dream tho'.
Arwaaagh, jujst seen TC47 post- never go to yopur youngest's flat warming-QC standards drop afterwards.

 

[[70521]]

I have a parasail on my Nic 26.

Thanks for the post Topcat47

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Thanks for the post Topcat47

+1

 

[MARNEN]

We have a Parasail on our Petrel 32 . Had it for about 6 years and would not be without it. We generall drop the main and sit back and enjoy the ride. All works exactly as the sales blurb. Our boat does not have any bearing out poles and the Parsail can be flown without. It is very forgiving, not needing constant attention like a spinnacker. We notice the front of the boat lifting the more the breeze gets up and the boat is just under 9 tons. 70 degrees to the wind is doeable with the sail set as a genny.The snuffer works well but I have been lifted off the deck a few times, need to practice a bit more.Works well with our wind vane steering. Once hoisted and set quite stress free sailing.

 

[tcm]

My parasail (actually marketed these days as a Parasailor) experience is with a catamaran, never flown one on a mono. I put a long post i think on gludy's multihull forum. Anyhoo, all very fine. I will happily try answer any queries about using them on a catamaran but seems this a more general thread...

 

[Daydream believer]

Ask TCM. He seems to have experience.

Is that really a responsible way to sail amongst a group of other craft at fairly close quarters?

 

[auditdata]

We bought ours for the ARC 2013 crossing. Used it for a year before and it is absolutely fantastic for a husband and wife team. No pole, No main and better sailing angles than a cruising shoot. 1st Pic f5 and 60 degrees to the wind! However we chose the "Rip up the Brochure" ARC crossing year. It was either less then 8 knots or more than 25 so it was only used for 1 day in total (Second Pic) Shame but we still have it on board.

 

[TiggerToo]

Is there anywhere I can find out how big a sail is recommended for a 35 ft monohull?

 

[[70521]]

Is there anywhere I can find out how big a sail is recommended for a 35 ft monohull?

Drop Seatreach.com an e-mail; they have been very responsive to my enquiry.