Tri-sails

[moondance5003]

Hi All,

I'm considering getting a trisail and putting it on it's own tract
(ala John Neal). One of the reasons for this is the chance of gettig
caught in a really bad blow where I would want to heave-to with the
tri-sail only or with a para-anchor.

Does anyone have experience with tri-sails on a vega, what size is
your tri-sail and is it long footed (to keep the effort aft)?

I have not yet had the oppotunity to heave-to in my vega in heavy
conditions and would like to hear from all of you who have advise on
this subject.

Robert
SV 2955

 

[tlochhaas]

Robert,

I had planned to do the same with a storm trysail until I read the Pardeys' book
on heavy weather tactics. They say that a long-keeled boat the size of a Vega
with a triple-reefed main doesn't actually need a trysail to heave to in serious
winds. So I had my sailmaker add a 3rd reef and haven't worried about it since.
The Vega heaves to very well under the main alone (or the jib alone in lighter
air). Just a thought I'd pass along....
Tommoondance5003 wrote:

 

[alan_critchlow]

Hi Robert. I have bought "Tarka the Otter". It had a pile of sails on
board. I have corresponded with the the previous owners and they tell
me that they used mostly storm jibs in storms. Really tiny storm jibs
with long 6 foot pendants. (They had two. One as on the sailplan and
one almost half that size again.) In heavy seas the boat in a trough
will see a lot less wind thus the need to get the sail high.

On most boats you need two sails to heave to. The jib is backed and
the helm is tied over. My parents only figured this out after sailing
across the Atlantic 3 times. They used it on the Pacific to have
meals. Very comfortable when you want a predictable motion.

Alan Critchlow

 

[imbissfrank]

I recall reading in one of the old VODCA newsletters an article written by Per Brohall (the Vega designer), that he did not feel the Vega required a Trysail. In his opinion, she should heave-to with an appropriate storm jib.

"Fair Winds and Following Seas"
Frank Gallardo Jr, V-2184, "Cin-Cin"Tom Lochhaas toml@... wrote: