Soft Wing-Sails

  • 19 Dec 2010 23:27
    Reply # 482949 on 472285
    Do you really want us to comment??
  • 19 Dec 2010 21:26
    Reply # 482868 on 472285
    Looking at JRA Newsletter issue 3, 1981, just added to the Newsletter PDF Download page, I see that I wrote about my first attempt at a soft wingsail there. 30 years ago - It's making me feel old!
  • 08 Dec 2010 13:20
    Reply # 476830 on 472285

    The Omer wing looks pretty cool if you have lots of £££.

    For us ordinary mortals, the Tunny rig sounds more us,  all that string!

    Suprised that a small bend gives such a good performance,  would love to see figures.

    I can see that it could be very practical & simple,  with no hinges.  Also that the bending need not be done when short tacking.

     

    Mark Thomasson

     

     

  • 02 Dec 2010 02:07
    Reply # 472966 on 472285
    Slieve McGalliard wrote:

    Hi

    Anyone interested in soft wingsails might find the following websites worth a look.

     

    http://www.wally.com/jumpch.asp?idChannel=25&idUser=0&attivo=10

     

    and

    http://www.omerwingsail.com/general-information/

     

    It seems that Omer wingsails have moved on from their Renault disc brake and are now working with Wally.

     

    There are many similarities with some of the ideas discussed by JRA members and in particular some of Bertrand Fercot's experiments with double aft battens behind the wing. It is interesting that they are showing windward heeling forces when sailing on a broad reach as I can experience on Poppy, but which I certainly do not recommend, particularly in gusty conditions.

     

    Examining the performance shown in the photos does not suggest great gains when the type of hull is considered, and the thought of using hydraulic rams to adjust the rig on a cruising boat would seem to be er- (im?) practical. Still, there could be something to learn from their publicity.

     

    Cheers

    Slieve

    I just got into Launceston, Tasmania, and moored, and the guy in the next boat said "Oh, you've got a "tunny rig". I can't recall that name being used of the soft wingsail, so I looked it up. I found this:
    in a copy of new scientist, August 1983.
    Even the Vendee Globe hot racers are using it, both the name and the rig, (until the mast falls down).
    There's nothing new under the sun, and I don't know what Omer can claim a patent for.
    What's clear to me is that none of these variants can demonstrate the handling advantages and deep reefing of the junk-derived rigs.
    Last modified: 02 Dec 2010 02:07 | Anonymous member
  • 01 Dec 2010 10:48
    Message # 472285

    Hi

    Anyone interested in soft wingsails might find the following websites worth a look.

     

    http://www.wally.com/jumpch.asp?idChannel=25&idUser=0&attivo=10

     

    and

    http://www.omerwingsail.com/general-information/

     

    It seems that Omer wingsails have moved on from their Renault disc brake and are now working with Wally.

     

    There are many similarities with some of the ideas discussed by JRA members and in particular some of Bertrand Fercot's experiments with double aft battens behind the wing. It is interesting that they are showing windward heeling forces when sailing on a broad reach as I can experience on Poppy, but which I certainly do not recommend, particularly in gusty conditions.

     

    Examining the performance shown in the photos does not suggest great gains when the type of hull is considered, and the thought of using hydraulic rams to adjust the rig on a cruising boat would seem to be er- (im?) practical. Still, there could be something to learn from their publicity.

     

    Cheers

    Slieve

       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

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