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.