Storm Sails

[bumblefish]

After a recent thread regarding the possibility of having a problem hoisting a storm sail over a furled head sail, such as these Saturn[/iurl], does anyone have any experience of these [url=http://shop.sailmakers.com/shop/view_product.html?prod=49]Arun or Kemp?

 

[Talbot]

I expect they set better, but it means you are handling twice the sail area! Not my idea of a good scheeme in strong winds

 

[PeterGibbs]

I caution against any simple assumptions over raising a storm sail in tough weather. In a small boat it is conceivable that the resistance to hauling aloft a jacket-type headsail could be overcome, but then if this has to be off a deck pitching violently, it is a doubtful plan, and certainly entails significant risks to person and rig.

For a larger vessel, certainly one over 30 ft, I venture it would be impossible to get such a sail aloft, and risk broken gear and possibly more safety exposure if heavy force were employed.

I have a regular storm headsail and have never had it out of the bag (11m boat) I talked to several sail makers about the options and plumped for a 100% high cut foresail that, in the event of strong winds, could be rolled and still provide some drive, along with a deep reefed main.

I offer these thoughts.

PWG

 

[bumblefish]

Of course that should have been
'After a recent thread regarding the possibility of having a problem hoisting a storm sail over a furled head sail, such as these Saturn, does anyone have any experience of these Arun or Kemp?'

 

[samwise]

We had a storm sail made by Jeckells of Wroxham which uses a parrel bead system, like a gaffer mainsail, to run over the rolled foresail. I have to say we have never used it in anger, although we have taken it out of the bag! I think the sail would set fairly well, but there is the issue of ensuring that your fully furled foresail can be rolled round far enough to get the sheets out of the way and as with any storm sail, foredeck conditions are rather nasty when you reach the stage of hoisting the thing, so maybe the separate forestay / hanked on storm sail is really the best option in the worst case. Do make sure that the sail is marked so that you hoist the right way up. A charter boat upon which I was crewing had a storm jib upon which the owner had marked the head with a big H in the wrong place. After a half hour being bashed around getting the thing up, I had to go back to the bow and undo our unwitting distress signal!