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New sail for Tystie

  • 14 May 2012 10:18
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    Reply # 919477 on 833895
    Anonymous member

    I ran down to Islington Bay this morning, before the weather got too foul (rain and thunder this evening). Three panels up in 25 - 30 knots, and doing 6 - 7 knots very comfortably. I continue to have a problem with the battens getting the wrong side of the port forward lift when deeply reefed. The final solution is to take off the whole forward boom pocket and move the square sailcatcher further back, and I can't face doing that. I'm experimenting with ways of hauling the lift further back clear of the luff. 

    I'm not convinced that I need the lower of the two luff hauling parrels, and they inhibit forward movement of the sail. A yard downhaul would be more useful, and I may use the line and deck hardware to try that out.

    The sheets continue to find ingenious ways to snag on the cockpit hoops, and a cat's cradle of lines is developing.

    Other than that, I'm happy that things are stiff enough and strong enough, and it isn't all going to fall to pieces. The helm balance and speed are OK. I beat up into the bay under five panels in a strong wind, and was making five and a half knots. The top sheet span needs to be an anti-twist span under these conditions, to prevent the top of the sail from falling away too much, and I've done this.
  • 13 May 2012 07:28
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    Reply # 918898 on 833895
    Anonymous member

    I finally got the little hatch bedded down this morning, and this afternoon I thought I'd better stop idling about and do some cruising, so I had a nice run  down to Te Haruhi Bay. All went well, and I'm gaining confidence in the rig by the minute. With the sail hauled right forward, so that at least a quarter of the area is forward of the mast, the helm balance is fine downwind ( a photo is in my albums). It's fine upwind, too, with the sail hauled right aft. Tomorrow a strong N'ly is forecast, and I'll run on down to Islington Bay, probably.

     
  • 11 May 2012 21:58
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    Reply # 917898 on 833895
    Anonymous member
    David,

    She looks truly lovely. If she performs in keeping with her looks,  you'll have really achieved something. I'd be very interested to know how the balance works out. Particularly on a broad reach.

    We (Jiao and I) will look forward to seeing you in Auckland. My facilities, as ever are at your disposal should you need them and the beer at the Cock & Bull is as  good as ever.
  • 11 May 2012 21:46
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    Reply # 917893 on 833895
    Anonymous member
    A second outing for Tystie yesterday afternoon. Footprints came out as well, and David took some photos, one of which is in my profile photo albums ( and also alongside - if you can't see it, clear your browser cache, as mentioned before).

    It was a breezy day, and two reefs were needed at times. Nevertheless, the rig seemed quite seaworthy. Being a big sail, the loads on the yard and throat hauling parrels are high, and I'm thinking of making the gadget that Kurt showed me at the NZ rally - a clamcleat mounted on a short board, with a handybilly attached, that can be effective in hauling a heavily loaded line through a short distance.

    I just have to do a few minor improvements, and finish fitting the little ventilation hatch where the mizzen mast used to be *, and then I'll be ready to cruise. It'll be good to stop working so hard, and to have time to sail and to visit. I have it in mind to go down to Auckland, to see how La Chica is coming along, and then to Great Barrier Island, because it such a nice place, and then to Whangerei, to visit mehitabel and to store up.  I really have to set my sights on leaving NZ in early June, after the AGM, and after the new committee has settled into office.

    * One of the downsides of changing the rig - I keep leaning against a mizzen mast that is no longer there...
  • 11 May 2012 03:40
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    Reply # 917286 on 916205
    Anonymous member
    David Tyler wrote:Well, if Ketil can quote Queen, in his issue 59 article, then I can quote Rod Stewart.
    "♫ ... we are sailing, we are sailing ... ♫"
    First outing this afternoon with the new rig. The battens didn't bend, let alone break. The panels cambered. The sail went up and came down, went out and came in. 
    Of course, I'll need to keep on optimising the parrels, as I sail more, but the overall first impression is good.
    I've rigged a lower sheet, 2:1 to a simple span on the boom and batten 1; and an upper sheet, 3:1 to two simple spans on battens 2,3,4 and 5. They seem quite good at adjusting twist, are more free running and shorter than a single 5:1 sheet, and it's not too hard to get the knack of handling them. The upper sheet goes onto the self tailing winch, and does most of the work. The lower sheet can be trimmed by hand, after the upper sheet has been hauled in.
    A wee dram of Bowmore for the skipper tonight.

    Congratulations David, enjoy the Bowmore and be sure not to over indulge.
  • 10 May 2012 19:20
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    Reply # 916836 on 833895
    Anonymous member
    Good to hear the battens seem to be a success, after all the grief.  I bet Tystie looks wonderful with her new sail.  Looking forward to seeing the photos.
  • 10 May 2012 08:45
    Quote
    Reply # 916287 on 833895
    Deleted user
    David, delighted to hear Tystie has her new sail and that initial trials are good. Look forward to seeing the first pictures. The sail shape looks just right. Congratulations.
  • 10 May 2012 08:09
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    Reply # 916275 on 833895
    Anonymous member
    I'll face East and toast you with a wee dram of Dalwhinnie a bit later.:D
  • 10 May 2012 05:59
    Quote
    Reply # 916205 on 833895
    Anonymous member
    Well, if Ketil can quote Queen, in his issue 59 article, then I can quote Rod Stewart.
    "♫ ... we are sailing, we are sailing ... ♫"
    First outing this afternoon with the new rig. The battens didn't bend, let alone break. The panels cambered. The sail went up and came down, went out and came in. 
    Of course, I'll need to keep on optimising the parrels, as I sail more, but the overall first impression is good.
    I've rigged a lower sheet, 2:1 to a simple span on the boom and batten 1; and an upper sheet, 3:1 to two simple spans on battens 2,3,4 and 5. They seem quite good at adjusting twist, are more free running and shorter than a single 5:1 sheet, and it's not too hard to get the knack of handling them. The upper sheet goes onto the self tailing winch, and does most of the work. The lower sheet can be trimmed by hand, after the upper sheet has been hauled in.
    A wee dram of Bowmore for the skipper tonight.
  • 18 Apr 2012 02:08
    Quote
    Reply # 891989 on 890707
    Anonymous member
    Mark Thomasson wrote:

    Dear David,

    still sorry to hear you have moved away from the wing-sail.  Perhaps it is a type most suited to multi-hull craft.  Efficiency being more important to maximum drive. 

    Good to see you are going with the sleeved yard. 

    Regarding fabricating Carbon-fibre spars, I recall that Mike Burroughs (the guru of wierd bicycle builder / designers) made frames from carbon on foam cores as you suggest.  His method of 'bagging' was to wrap round & round with electrical tape.  cheap effective, if not the best finish.  Early windsurfer masts must have been similar as they have a spiral ridge.

    cheers

    Mark

     

    Mark,
    Wing-sails are suitable for any craft; efficiency is always important. But I'm moving away from them for the reasons I gave at the beginning of this topic. 
    The higher efficiency comes at a much higher cost, in time, money, labour and difficulty, and I'd like to get back to a simpler rig.

    Actually, it's heatshrink tube and tape that is now most commonly used for wrapping laminates with. It has to be the right product, made for the job, or it sticks to the resin. But just consider the scale of the job I'm attempting, with spars up to 7m long, and it's clear that winding narrow tape on is not really a practical option.
       " ...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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