I need to experiment with an idea for a cheap spinnaker-like sail. I have a reserve parachute from my hang gliding gear. It is outmoded but in perfect shape (never had to throw it). I was playing with it at a local school, letting it drag my son across the lawn when the light bulb went on. I have seen the new kite sails that are flown from the deck, but they are cut to fly up. I was thinking about putting this one up on the extra jib sheave I have, and see what happens. Ok, I have an album of nothing but broaches. I can imagine what would happen if I wanted to sail the boat one direction, and a fresh wind wanted the parachute to go in another. But in light winds, if I could inflate this chute without too much tangling, it might really get the boat moving. I have never flown a spinnaker. The learning curve will be steep, I am sure. This is somewhat safer than my upcoming experiment with planing the 26D (to take place when the water is warmer). Pictures to come. John S
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M
MrBill
retreival ?
so, how does it go.... good judgment come from experience, and experience come from bad judgment. OK, it you might be able to launch it, and keep it out of the water.... but, how are you going to get it back in? and have you ever tried to get a sail out of the water? we call this shrimping around here... now, if you can somehow figure out a way to collapase it, with say a line at the top of the shute.... then there is the hourglass type of wrap.... (typically around the fore stay) in very light air, yeah, I'd give it a shot... over 8knts, look out...
so, how does it go.... good judgment come from experience, and experience come from bad judgment. OK, it you might be able to launch it, and keep it out of the water.... but, how are you going to get it back in? and have you ever tried to get a sail out of the water? we call this shrimping around here... now, if you can somehow figure out a way to collapase it, with say a line at the top of the shute.... then there is the hourglass type of wrap.... (typically around the fore stay) in very light air, yeah, I'd give it a shot... over 8knts, look out...
J
John S
Pararigging
This being an emergency type of a chute, there is a hole about 12 in in diameter in the center of the chute where the shrouds cross over. If I pull there to turn the chute inside out... Keep in mind that this is not a sail, rather like 1/4 ounce fabric. It is not that large, either. I thought about a float and just let the halyard go...Last year, I witnessed a race with this group in less than a mph wind. If one could get something like this up, it might move the boat in even a very small breeeze...Won't take up too much room, either. My wife has already called it a whomper! John S By the way, Mr Bill, aren't you always kind of negative about things like this? Seems like you always try to put the brakes on the wild and unorthodox. Do you instead think "unsafe"? I don't really care, I value your posts, just see a kind of pattern. Anyways, maybe I'll really see if the Mac will really float if swamped, or maybe I'll have my big bas%$#d of a knife right there to let it go. Heh, heh.
This being an emergency type of a chute, there is a hole about 12 in in diameter in the center of the chute where the shrouds cross over. If I pull there to turn the chute inside out... Keep in mind that this is not a sail, rather like 1/4 ounce fabric. It is not that large, either. I thought about a float and just let the halyard go...Last year, I witnessed a race with this group in less than a mph wind. If one could get something like this up, it might move the boat in even a very small breeeze...Won't take up too much room, either. My wife has already called it a whomper! John S By the way, Mr Bill, aren't you always kind of negative about things like this? Seems like you always try to put the brakes on the wild and unorthodox. Do you instead think "unsafe"? I don't really care, I value your posts, just see a kind of pattern. Anyways, maybe I'll really see if the Mac will really float if swamped, or maybe I'll have my big bas%$#d of a knife right there to let it go. Heh, heh.
M
mrbill
well, yeah
Since I've seen your work, and feel I kinda know your talent level so, what the hell, go for it... I'm more negative for the newbies, were some rookies might think this is a smart idea. (its not a great idea) (I still think trying to plane the D is bad idea, but i AM curious what happens.... and I did post the photo of the M25 with a 40hp in the keys!) -when I was younger I launched a lightning spinaker off a hobie 16. (in a boat for boat race, 1st over line wins) -I'm not sure I'd do it again, but for the 15 min it was up, we passed a bunch of boats, and it was fun... -we didnt wipeout, but we were not in control. (we did it... mostly to say we did it, at the bar after the race) if you've never tried to pull a shute out of the water, well, it really kills you boat speed. maybe there will be a new fear factor show based in idaho soon... lol. good luck!
Since I've seen your work, and feel I kinda know your talent level so, what the hell, go for it... I'm more negative for the newbies, were some rookies might think this is a smart idea. (its not a great idea) (I still think trying to plane the D is bad idea, but i AM curious what happens.... and I did post the photo of the M25 with a 40hp in the keys!) -when I was younger I launched a lightning spinaker off a hobie 16. (in a boat for boat race, 1st over line wins) -I'm not sure I'd do it again, but for the 15 min it was up, we passed a bunch of boats, and it was fun... -we didnt wipeout, but we were not in control. (we did it... mostly to say we did it, at the bar after the race) if you've never tried to pull a shute out of the water, well, it really kills you boat speed. maybe there will be a new fear factor show based in idaho soon... lol. good luck!
I have never...
been able to get my D to plane, despite a 300 sq. ft. asym and a 350 sq. ft. sym. I can get it to surf and there is nothing more fun than that...in a non-organic sense. It is not uncommon to use a regular parachute on a sailboat. I'll see if I can find a site that describes the method. I think I might have that same album of broaches...but I have spent a lifetime trying to perfect them...if you ever sail on Lake Ontario and see some A-hole spinning in a circle with the sails in the water...that's me.
been able to get my D to plane, despite a 300 sq. ft. asym and a 350 sq. ft. sym. I can get it to surf and there is nothing more fun than that...in a non-organic sense. It is not uncommon to use a regular parachute on a sailboat. I'll see if I can find a site that describes the method. I think I might have that same album of broaches...but I have spent a lifetime trying to perfect them...if you ever sail on Lake Ontario and see some A-hole spinning in a circle with the sails in the water...that's me.
J
John S
Parachute deployed
Well, I tried the chute to see what would happen. First of all, the jib had to be dropped for a halyard to hoist this thing. I found that the boat needed to be on a broad rerach to get some wind accross the boat. I also had to drop the main, because it shadowed the chute, which swung around downwind of the main and would not inflate. I dropped the main and was able to inflate the chute. It pulled the boat pretty well, but the main problem with it is that it does not fly up. In its current shape, it is a poor substitute for a large headsail. I have to decide if I want to cut it up and modify, or use it for something else. Anyways, we did shrimp for a while when we first hoisted the chute, because the leader was so long and it was windshadowed long enough to go in the water. It was fun to do after a day of racing with the local Boise sailboat group. John S
Well, I tried the chute to see what would happen. First of all, the jib had to be dropped for a halyard to hoist this thing. I found that the boat needed to be on a broad rerach to get some wind accross the boat. I also had to drop the main, because it shadowed the chute, which swung around downwind of the main and would not inflate. I dropped the main and was able to inflate the chute. It pulled the boat pretty well, but the main problem with it is that it does not fly up. In its current shape, it is a poor substitute for a large headsail. I have to decide if I want to cut it up and modify, or use it for something else. Anyways, we did shrimp for a while when we first hoisted the chute, because the leader was so long and it was windshadowed long enough to go in the water. It was fun to do after a day of racing with the local Boise sailboat group. John S
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