When a sail is too tall and skinny, it won’t be stable. The optimum foot length for any downwind sail is a function of aspect ratio or height (luff) versus width (foot). No matter what type of downwind sail you are building, you have to start with the correct aspect ratio for the boat’s rig proportions this is what dictates overall size. And because there is less surplus material along the leech, there is less backwinding of the mainsail, which creates less drag when sailing close to the wind. The sail’s superior performance is the result of a straighter, more stable leech and a flatter exit, both contributing to an increase in drive in all conditions, but not overpowering the boat in heavy-air reaching. When the luff tension is eased, the luff is allowed to rotate forward shifting the center of effort and transforming the overall shape of the sail. Quantum’s XC reaching sails have more luff projection to weather and more twist (five to 10 degrees) compared to traditional reaching sails and other cable-less designs on the market. While not practical for all downwind sails, Quantum’s XC structured luff technology and designs are great for reaching applications like the AWA 40, 60, and 80, and are available in membrane or tri-radial construction to meet the needs of any sailor. This technology has been refined and enhanced to make it accessible to racers and cruisers alike. Quantum led the way in structured luff or cableless technology with the successful Maxi 72 Class. More than four years ago, racing sail designers began experimenting with ways to remove the traditional torsion cable used in the luff to not only enable furling reaching sails but also to reduce headstay sag and achieve superior performance in a wider range of angles, including upwind. This shared load dictates the amount of additional structure needed in the luff. A small cable enables the sail to be easily furled and unfurled and shares some of the load on the luff as well. Simply put, additional fiber and structure are added to the luff of the sail to take the place of a traditional, large torsional cable.
0 kommentar(er)
