Solent Rig

[Talbot]

Believe the solent rig to be where the staysail is quite close to the foresail.

Does anyone have any experience/better information on this rig, where it would be used, and the pros and cons?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mickshep]

Up here in the North, Solent Rig is or perhaps was the rather disparaging label given to vessels sporting full main, sheeted hard in with headsail rolled away and motor running with no regard for wind direction or force, having said that, it's a term I have not heard used in a number of years. Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.

 

[PhilipStapleton]

Yes, an inner forestay close to the main forestay, usually detachable.
some pros and cons here....
http://www.svsarah.com/Whoosh/Boat Mods.htm

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[charles_reed]

Don't know about solent rig; but a solent headsail could be referred to as a skinny jib, being the full height of the forestay from foredeck to mast and ending in front of the mast ie no overlap. It is usually 100% of the foresail area.

Mine is superb for windward work F3-6, allowing a tacking angle of 70 degrees and achieving beating speeds of 7-8 knots (albeit with great discomfort and dampness for the crew) on 29'10" LWL.

You'll find them an indispensable part of the sail wardrobe on any fractional rigs with racing pretensions.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jamesjermain]

In my money, the Solent jib is as Charles described, and an excellent sail it is too. Solent rig is the idle habit of sailing under roller furling genoa only - the easiest way of setting and furling a workable amount of sail. It puts undue strain on the rigging, unbalances the boat and looks hideous.

I have never heard the 'close coupled' forsetay rig called a Solent rig before - maybe a gap in my education

Sailing with the main pinned is simply motor sailing.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[extravert]

Sailing 35 degrees to true wind with a boat speed of 7.5 knots in a true windspeed of 15 knots works out at 23 degrees to apparent wind.

That is getting close to America's Cup boats' apparent wind angles.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[tome]

agree, except downwind where it is a very useful rig.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mirabriani]

I would be interested in seeing your formula for working that out.
According to PBO my yacht (a Trapper TS 240) will tack through 70 degrees but when I try it my speed drops off noticibly.
Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[extravert]

True wind angle is tacking angle / 2, =35 degrees
180-true wind angle is 180-35, =145 degrees

cosine rule...

a*a = b*b + c*c - 2bc cos A

where

A is 145 degrees
a is apparent wind speed, unknown
b is boat speed, =7.5
c is true wind speed, =15

Solving for a, a=21.4 knots

Now using sine rule, where C is apparent wind angle

sin 145/ 21.6 = sin C / 15

solving for C

Apprent wind angle = 23 degrees

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[mirabriani]

Thank you for that extravert. I will not admit that I wish I had not asked.
Would it be an imposition to ask if it can be plotted on graph paper?
It has been rather more than 50 years since I was at school.
Regards Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[brianhumber]

Re: Solent Jib

Absolutely agree, mine is the smallest but most used of the three furling jibs I have because I can leave it unfurled with up to two reefs in the main in rising winds and RH is still balanced.

Great for beating over to Cherbourg/CI, but I must say I don't do windward work in 6s !!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[extravert]

It can also be worked out graphically by plotting on graph paper. I've not seen any for years though. You need a ruler and a protractor. Draw the vertical line (boat speed) and the top angles line (true wind speed and angle), and the resultant third side of the triangle is apparent wind speed and angle.

You can of course do it the other way round, ie apparent wind speed/angle known, find true wind speed/angle.

Wind instruments that have true/apparent modes which are networked to boat speed are doing this calculation continuously when on the true setting. They have a specially trained woodlouse inside that draws the graph a few times every second. The extra legs help.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[mirabriani]

Thank you for being patient with me.
No doubt forumites will sympathise with my poor instructor trying to teach me tidal heights and secondary ports.
I now realise why those wind instruments are so expensive. It must take a long time to train the woodlice, especially for the instruments that also give speed over ground.
Regards Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>