VOR Downwind Sail Trim

[AlastairLC]

Watching the harbour race start to leg 9, I was surprised to see the A3 sail luffs were taut and the mainsails were sheeted in (as opposed to a free flying A sail and boom well out). They looked like they were sailing upwind under Code 0s! I guess the taut spinnaker luff makes for faster furling and the sheeted in main allows more air to get to the spinnaker and faster gybes. Very interesting.

 

[Will Gilmore]

https://video.volvooceanrace.com/im...20-may/a/97cda11b-a533-4fbb-95de-9daca02cbc79

I guess the taut spinnaker luff makes for faster furling and the sheeted in main allows more air to get to the spinnaker and faster gybes.

Sounds good.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Davidasailor26]

They looked like they were sailing upwind under Code 0s!

Their apparent wind probably was well forward. These boats move so fast that there's going to be a huge apparent wind effect in the wind speeds shown.

 

[dlochner]

Their apparent wind probably was well forward. These boats move so fast that there's going to be a huge apparent wind effect in the wind speeds shown.

Yep, once they get moving, even downwind, the apparent wind moves forward thus the sails look like they are trimmed for upwind work, because they are effectively sailing up wind.

 

[AlastairLC]

I knew apparent wind was well forward when the America’s Cup foiling cats were going 40 knots downwind, but are these monohulls going fast enough for that to happen?

 

[Jackdaw]

In light airs the the VOR65’s zeros go upwind very well. It’s cut for that as the AP goes way forward. The halyard lock at the masttop keeps correct tension under immense pressure. It’s not your dad’s spinnaker.

 

[BobbyFunn]

the apparent wind moves forward thus the sails look like they are trimmed for upwind work,

Ahhhh, this might explain why on most points of sail the cassette tape telltales on the upper shrouds lead aft.

I just assumed nature hated me and found a way to blow wind on my nose on all points of sail.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Ahhhh, this might explain why on most points of sail the cassette tape telltales on the upper shrouds lead aft.

I just assumed nature hated me and found a way to blow wind on my nose on all points of sail.

Actually the wind near the shrouds is usually bent not just by apparent wind effects but also by the sails themselves. As the wind flows over the sails it will tend to follow their angle, appearing headed. The mast head wind vane is really the only way to accurately tell apparent wind without the effects of the sails.

 

[BobbyFunn]

Actually the wind near the shrouds is usually bent not just by apparent wind effects but also by the sails themselves. As the wind flows over the sails it will tend to follow their angle, appearing headed. The mast head wind vane is really the only way to accurately tell apparent wind without the effects of the sails.

Good to know. Ill have to place one up on top then.

 

[Jackdaw]

Good to know. Ill have to place one up on top then.

Bobby you have to hide your irony better.