Toby Hodges reports on the latest specialist downwind sail featuring twin connected gennakers for running or reaching, which use structured luffs and integrated furling technology
\nWhat would be your ideal tradewind sail setup? Keep things simple with a poled-out genoa, go more specialist with a Parasailor, or fly a combination of options?
\nWe have just seen the conclusion of the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), where hundreds of yachts set off across the pond, so it seems a good time to have learned of this promising new, versatile solution from OneSails. Its IFS Multi Tradewind Sail is based on the age-old \u2018wing on\/and wing\u2019 or \u2018twins\u2019 headsail setup, but using modern asymmetric spinnaker technology rather than headsails\/genoas to make it potentially easier to handle, more versatile and performance oriented.
\nIt uses two gennakers connected at the centre, offering two sails in one piece of cloth with multiple functionality. Where it differs from previous designs like this, such as Elvstrom\u2019s Blue Water Runner or North Sails\u2019 TradeWind, is that OneSails has incorporated modern structured luff technology, or IFS (Integrated Furling Structure), which means it doesn\u2019t need a heavy anti-torsion cable sewn in.
\nNominated for a DAME award (full report on that next month), the IFS Multi Tradewind was developed by OneSails Palma, and we spoke with CEO Peter Bresnan following their successful first trials. Their new system was nicknamed the \u2018Batman sail\u2019 after the noticeably large black prototype was tested on a Privilege 510 and the video was shared on YouTube.
\nThe clews can join and the sails set on the same side for reaching angles
\nThe potential advantages look far-reaching. Principally, by incorporating two structured luff gennakers on a single furling unit, this setup offers the benefits of a reaching gennaker and a large downwind spinnaker, both of which can quickly be doused fuss-free (in theory) using a furler.
\nFor reaching\/sailing higher angles, the sails can be set on the same side by connecting both clews to the same sheet. This allows them to function as a gennaker for reaching angles up to 90\u00b0 to the true wind. The IFS Multi Tradewind is also suitable for use on both monohulls and multihulls, and with or without spinnaker poles.
\nStructured luff benefits
\nThe use of structured luff sails means heavy anti-torsion cables are not required, saving weight aloft. It also means the luff is soft and easy to manage, so the sails can be quickly dropped and stowed in a spinnaker bag when not in use.
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Bresnan explains there are more advantages to using IFS, and its high modulus lens, \u201cwhich has such good shapeholding when using the sail at tighter reaching angles\u201d.
\nThe positive curvature of this luff creates a good entry angle for reaching. These fibres also resist deformation and stretch incredibly well, making the sail \u201cvery efficient at tighter reaching angles because the driving force is improved through better shapeholding of the luff.\u201d
\n\u201cThe flying shape of the sail resembles more a genoa than a spinnaker on reaching angles,\u201d adds Bresnan.
\nFor those more intent on downwinding, there are additional benefits of the wing-on-wing Batman mode too, which include the larger, more powerful sail area it provides compared to twin headsails or a spinnaker. Indeed, this surface area is up to 35% larger than a symmetrical kite, says OneSails, and because the majority of this sail area is concentrated low down, it results in less rolling motion.
\nLarge black prototype of the OneSail IFS Multi Tradewind Sail earned the nickname \u2018Batman sail\u2019
\n\u201cIt delivers greater thrust, improved stability, and reduced overall load on the upper section of the mast,\u201d Bresnan adds.
\nDuring the Privilege trials they sailed at 7 knots in 15 knots dead downwind in Batman configuration (and 11 knots in 18-22 knots).
\n\u201cOne sail for all downwind angles \u2013 for an Atlantic crossing, I don\u2019t think you can beat it,\u201d Arnas Eimutis from One Sails Palma reported.
\nThe P510 sail is 193m2 and costs \u20ac13,500 ex VAT. Contact: onesails.com\/multi-trade-wind-sail<\/p>\n
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The post The \u2018Batman sail\u2019: Is OneSails\u2019 new multi tradewind the ultimate all-in-one? appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Toby Hodges reports on the latest specialist downwind sail featuring twin connected gennakers for running or reaching, which use structured luffs and integrated furling technology What would be your ideal tradewind sail setup? Keep things simple with a poled-out genoa, … <\/p>\n