Fun with the kite

[Tally Ho]

Out sailing with 2 Hunter 33's the other day (I have a Hunter 280) and the wind died off as we were making our way back to the marina. I figured my only advantage over the H33's is that I have a asym kite and they don't. So we pulled it out and got it filled. Before too long one of the 33's was coming up behind me (too fast for the wind we had I thought). He was motor sailing....but at least he took a few photos for me!

Great evening for a sail, and we needed the practice with the kite.

Greg

 

[victorhoisington]

Love the pictures.

I have a Hunter 28, I notice you are flying the Asym in the "standard" pisition. Any thoughts of flying it from the masthead. On our small inland lake we often have wind 0-3 mph so being able to capture even the slightest breeze is crucial. I've often thought about setting up the mast head with anadditional halyard and then flying a super Asy. from the masthead.

I'm not too worried about being able to get a halyard up there but have had some comments about the unstayed top of the mast and if the extra load at the masthead could possibly lead to mast failure?

 

[Goldfinger]

Very pretty. Great time of the day to take any photo.

 

[Tally Ho]

Love the pictures.

I have a Hunter 28, I notice you are flying the Asym in the "standard" pisition. Any thoughts of flying it from the masthead. On our small inland lake we often have wind 0-3 mph so being able to capture even the slightest breeze is crucial. I've often thought about setting up the mast head with anadditional halyard and then flying a super Asy. from the masthead.

I'm not too worried about being able to get a halyard up there but have had some comments about the unstayed top of the mast and if the extra load at the masthead could possibly lead to mast failure?

The boat is new to me, and this is only the 2nd time I have had occasion to fly it. On Lake Michigan, we normally have plenty of wind, so we don't use it a lot. I am not sure about changing the configuration to the masthead. Since I don't need it often, I probably would not go through the hassle and expense of trying to change it.

Greg

 

[Jackdaw]

Great pictures!

A great mod for you would be to add an adjustable tack line. Im assuming your tack is fixed near the box. For best sail shape, the tack should be adjusted based on wind angle. Tight to the bow like that is good for reaching, but while running it it should be up several feet. This allows a fulller more powerful shape, and also allows the curved luff to rotate to windward, giving you projected sail are out in front of your main.

A 3/8s line back to a clutch on the cabin top would work perfectly!

 

[kloudie1]

Nice Pix, Greg..

 

[Tally Ho]

Great pictures!

A great mod for you would be to add an adjustable tack line. Im assuming your tack is fixed near the box. For best sail shape, the tack should be adjusted based on wind angle. Tight to the bow like that is good for reaching, but while running it it should be up several feet. This allows a fulller more powerful shape, and also allows the curved luff to rotate to windward, giving you projected sail are out in front of your main.

A 3/8s line back to a clutch on the cabin top would work perfectly!

Thanks for the tip. You are right...the tack line is just tied off on the roller anchor. I can adjust it some....honestly did not know that the tack should be let out for running downwind.

Greg

 

[Jackdaw]

Thanks for the tip. You are right...the tack line is just tied off on the roller anchor. I can adjust it some....honestly did not know that the tack should be let out for running downwind.

Greg

yea... it makes HUGE difference. See the next two pix.

First one we are close reaching... the wind is in front the beam. The low tack straightens the luff and makes the sail act as a big genny. In this pix we are sailing faster than true wind speed

In the next pix we are running. We let the tack up, and the asym's luff naturally curls to windward. the curved luff projection pushes the sail into clean air, and it acts more like a symmetrical spinnaker. If it were tight you would see none of that curved luff.

Very versatile sails!