Mylar sails

Report #3 - Shane Guanaria

Foreword

The day we test sailed the “Tasar X” was in variable winds, 6-14 knots. It was only the second time in 8 months that I have sailed a Tasar (the first being 2 weeks earlier in 20-25knots with the test sails). I sailed with my fiancée, Jeanette, who had only sailed twice before. Our combined weight was 145kgs.

It was agreed that we would forfeit any right of way and started at the un-favoured end of the line (the line was heavily biased to the boat end). We did not interfere with any other Tasar during any race, which in retrospect was a considerable disadvantage to us.

We thank the other Tasars for letting us sail with them, it was definitely worth while.

Aesthetics.

• The new sails look great on the boats. Even the younger 29er sailors made positive comments regarding the new more modern look.
• The extra visibility was fantastic, both for safety and tactical reasons

Performance

The initial performance of the boat on the weekend was very impressive, if you include us in the results for the 4 races our places were 4, 1, 3, and 2 for a total of 10 points. Top boat for the day was Tasar 170, his places were 1, 2, 1, and 7 for a total of 11 points and next was Tasar 2710, 2, 5, 2, 6 totaling 15. It is worth noting that there were 4 boats that finished in the top ten at the last Australian titles competing (one was Tasar X). I feel if we were in a standard Tasar we would have finished 4th or 5th.

Upwind the new sails performed very well, we were consistently faster than the standard rig through the ranges. I can’t recall a boat going past us up any work. The mainsail leech was a lot more mobile in the fluctuating breezes, hence I was adjusting a lot less sheet and traveler. The jib, with the extra roach acted in a very similar way. The jib was also easier to steer to in the down range conditions even with the shrouds all the way back.

Cross wind our results were hindered by the protocol above, we couldn’t pass when I thought we could and couldn’t defend when we had too. We also surrendered inside positions at mark roundings. The jib trim was only ever a median setting, straight through the fairlead and cleated. In the race where we were clear ahead we initially put a couple of boat lengths on 2nd place before another breeze line filled in and they closed the gap, the gap stayed the same on the following leg. In summary the sails would have been done more justice in more experienced hands.

Downwind, on sheer sail area I felt we were a little quicker, but it was hard to tell on a day like that. Gybing the jib was not hindered at all by the battens. The sails set well, and I’m sure, as above they would have performed with fewer restrictions.

Durability

I guess only time will tell how long they last but if the 49er’s are any indication the competitive life of the sail will match, possibly exceed the Dacron sails. The first set of 49er sails we built are still being used on a weekly basis, they have been on the boat for 5 years now. The first time I used the sails it started of at around 10 knots, but before long had increased to 25 knots. At the time I was sailing single handed and the jib was doing a fair amount of flogging, to the extent where the jib sheets came off!! The jib wrapped it self round the forestay while I was trying to reattach the sheets but still did no damage, not even a broken batten. I had a similar experience with a Dacron jib, and that jib suffered a worse fate. Both mylar sails are in perfect shape. It was interesting to note the way the main reacted when my crew joined me, no inverting of the lower parts of the main, just the head. It acted in the way a skiff main does, laying open before inverting and flogging. The bottom of the sail set properly, making the boat well balanced and easier to sail.

In summary, I was surprised at how well they performed. If the top standard boat on the day had used these sails with no restrictions the results would have been much more one sided.

Shane Guanaria
March 7, 2005

Posted 2005/02/09

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