how close to and how far off the wind should one be able to use the a-sail? in, other words, if the wind is blowing from due north, 360 degrees, what tracks should i expect to sail? i've only tried this sail in very light winds, and only on broad reach, but was suprised that the sail collapsed when trying to "run". if the wind was from 360, the sail would collapse when the track was turned greater than 150 degrees. is this to be expected, or do i need to learn how to trim better? i haven't tried the sail on a beam or close reach. is that possible? thanks. doug
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Absolutely not. Asails are just not capable of sailing DDW because they are blancketed by the main. At deep sailing angles they sit in the wind shadow of the main. Adding a sprit pole will allow you to sail deeper because the sail is tacked much further from the main. Also easing the halyard and tack line about 6' each will help. In general, the deepest you can use an asail is 135 relative. If you want to sail a close reach, you simply bring the tack all the way down and the head all the way up. I have been able to achieve 40 degrees aparent in light air.
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