Storm bag

[Nick]

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This looks like a great idea. Pricey though.

[pagoda]

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This looks like a great idea. Pricey though.

8m2 is the same as my windsurfing sail, smaller than my RS dinghy's main.
Unless you can go to 3 reefs on the main, I doubt this size of sail would be all that useful? (enough to offset weather helm?)
Who wants to be out in that weather anyway?
I often go from 1 reef + reduced Genny
>>2 reefs +more reduced Genny
>>main down and sail on the Genny alone, still get 6-7Kts if its blowing 25+ and gusting a bit more. Quite enough for mortals I reckon.

Nicely designed however

[Aja]

I'm sure that once the jib has been pulled out of the bag that the friction forces involved in hoisting the jib over the furled foresail must be quite significant - not helped by the strength of the wind.

Regards
Donald

[Nick]

I'm sure that once the jib has been pulled out of the bag that the friction forces involved in hoisting the jib over the furled foresail must be quite significant - not helped by the strength of the wind.

I have winches on my boat . . . and three reef points in the main.

[Aja]

I have winches on my boat . . . and three reef points in the main.

...as do I. My point probably better expressed is that in the strength of wind that this type of sail is likely to be deployed hoisting the sail wrapped round the furled genoa is going to be extremely difficult. I was at a demonstration when Saturn Sails had something similar it wasn't a success in my opinion.

Regards

Donald

[pagoda]

I have winches on my boat . . . and three reef points in the main.

...as do I. My point probably better expressed is that in the strength of wind that this type of sail is likely to be deployed hoisting the sail wrapped round the furled genoa is going to be extremely difficult. I was at a demonstration when Saturn Sails had something similar it wasn't a success in my opinion.

Regards

Donald

I suspect, like reefing, if you wait until you need to do it, you're too late!
Deploy this when mid 20kt range and then perhaps survive some of the 30Kts plus stuff?

[BlowingOldBoots]

Various storm jib systems for furling sails were tested by PBO in January of 2016: -

http://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/7-storm-jibs-on-test-26029

Out of all the systems they tested, hank on systems, were in their opinion better.

In my experience, I have sailed a lot of boats in heavy weather, with 3 reefs and just a small amount of head sail rolled out, I have managed to sail successfully in F9 just using the existing sails.

The best combination I found for a furling system was the inner forestay used when the wind strength justified a working jib area, the inner forestay was deployed in say F5 winds, working jib hanked on and hoisted. The working jib could be reefed and a separate storm sail could be hoisted as well.

The point is, for most leisure sailers the furling headsail, deep reefed, will work for severe conditions. Are modern foam luff furling sails not designed to roll up small these days, that's what the foam is for, better sail shape when rolled up.

[Nick]

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I've got a foam luff but it is still useless to windward with 30+knots over the deck or in severe squalls if more than 50% is rolled away.

3 reefs and deeply furled genoa are OK from a close/beamish reach to a run, but not so handy if you have to beat off a lee shore.

[BlowingOldBoots]

I agree that sailing close hauled is inefficient, if not impossible, with a deeply rolled genoa.