The time to completely cut down the furling genoa and switch to an appropriately sized sail was missed. Continuous attempts were made to adjust the sail size to the ever increasing winds, reducing the area to a useless small triangle, and now struggling - although tightly furled - to control the flapping forestay. A second, or cutter stay for alternative solutions is not available. The "inventors" of the GaleSail must have experienced this situation, because the special sail for all headsail furling systems is the right answer and provides the conditions for relaxed strong wind sailing.
Good windage edge How does it work? The sail is pulled over the furled reefing sail with its luff pocket. Setting is facilitated by hooks that can be operated with one hand to close the pocket and a sail bag that controls the GaleSail until it is fully set. The well-profiled pocket secures the furled reefing sail on the one hand and provides a good windage edge on the other, so that good height can be sailed even in difficult conditions.
No modifications required No modifications need to be made to the boat itself, no additional equipment needs to be purchased. Cloth and workmanship of the GaleSail are designed for long life. The storm jib is manufactured in three sizes for yachts between 28 and 50 feet with sail areas between 6 and 15 square meters. More detailed information is available from Oleu-Sails in Heiligenhafen, among others.
Stay sail on removable forestay The wind has increased strongly, the boat heels excessively, cruising against wind and wave becomes an ordeal. On yachts with headsail furling systems, without appropriate alternatives, the only option is to use the engine additionally to make way to windward. Stefan Matschuk, managing director of North Sails GmbH, therefore recommends a staysail set on a removable inner forestay with roller for yachts over 45 feet in length. This is ideal for being able to set a storm sail when needed. In terms of comfort, North Sails is convinced of seamless 3DL sails. "This is because their high dimensional stability makes the boat heel less in more wind, leads to balanced rudder behavior and less rudder pressure. Simply because the poofil of the sail is maintained, and thus wind power is converted into propulsion and not into high lateral forces," Matschuk explains. Detailed information is available from North Sails.
Good & cheap: standardized storm socks Due to inexpensive sail production, even well-stocked mail-order companies in the yacht equipment sector can now offer standardized storm socks. SVB from Bremen, for example, offers three sizes for yachts of 8, 12 and 14 m overall length with sizes of 4, 5 and 6 square meters. The strong wind cloths are made of 280, 320 and 380 g/sqm cloths. Of course, with extra reinforced head, shark and clew grains. The luff is equipped with user-friendly one-hand stay riders.
