TiggerToo
Well-Known Member
Has anyone here ever tried one of these? Have you ever seen them in use? Any opinions?
parasails
- Thread starter TiggerToo
- Start date
William_H
Well-Known Member
I understand in the last Sydney to Hobart race several boats carried huge parasails for down wind work. The theory was that the sail would provide lift on the hull to help the boat to plane. We are talking maxi yachts here 90footers.
I understand that they were prepared to cut the parasail adrift as it was anticipated that in any real wind. The wind did not favour the use so they still have them.
I imagine that you would need to be in that group where money was no object and winning of primary importance. I suspect that unless it was a very big parasail it would not be much advantage over your usual cruising spin or lightweight headsail. olewill
I understand that they were prepared to cut the parasail adrift as it was anticipated that in any real wind. The wind did not favour the use so they still have them.
I imagine that you would need to be in that group where money was no object and winning of primary importance. I suspect that unless it was a very big parasail it would not be much advantage over your usual cruising spin or lightweight headsail. olewill
LadyStardust
Well-Known Member
I bought one last year, for the ARC, it was sold on the grounds that it would handle 30-40 knot squalls easy and was also easy to handle when short-handed. There was just myself and partner.
It worked great one day for a few hours in lightish winds, but the second time I tried it in 25knots I spent hours trying to unravel it off the other stays, I think it looks good, in theory should work, but I won't be flying mine again for some time. I didn't think the price justified the expected advantage over an ordinary spinnaker.
It worked great one day for a few hours in lightish winds, but the second time I tried it in 25knots I spent hours trying to unravel it off the other stays, I think it looks good, in theory should work, but I won't be flying mine again for some time. I didn't think the price justified the expected advantage over an ordinary spinnaker.
