Sport Today

I'll probably dump my Rushwind Escape 4.7 (not durable enough) and go
for Simmer Icon... but am not sure what should I go for. Icon is sized
as 3.5, 3.8, 4.1, 4.4, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3 ... and I know that in 60+ kts
conditions that we had last week 4.2 was way too big. Can I go for 3.8 +
4.7 or is the gap too big? I don't want more than 2 small sails as  we
dont get that many high-wind days... I'll probably wont be able to use
them more than couple days in a year.

Alternatively I might sell my next biggest sail (Windwings Bash Enduro
5.6) in favour of Icon 5.3 + 4.4 + 3.5 or something like that. Most of
my sails are Simmers and it makes sense to stick to the same brand.

Any words of wisdom please?

Peter

Steve.

1st assumption:
the best gap between sails is 20% (economic and confortable)

2st assumption:
I have only one sail at the size of 5.0

5.0 + 20% = 6.0
5.0 -  20% = 4.0

so:
the bigger one should be at the size of 6.0
the smaller one should be 4.0

3rd assumption:
I have only one sail at the size 4.0

4.0 + 20% = 4.8
4.0 - 20% = 3.2

Conclusion:
If you are scaling up you get smaller gaps and opposit.
(in one case you should have 4.0 and 4.8, in second 4.0 and 5.0)

The final question:
Shall we use 'your 20%' for scaling up or for scaling down?

Based on my personal experience I would say that 1m gap, between 4.0 and 5.0
is pretty big!
For me too big.
(My range of sailis: 5.7, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0)

Sorry for the boring math!

Good Sailing,
Bart

I believe the 20% gap is a gap UP, not DOWN.

So, from 3.5 with a 20% gap.
3.5
4.2
5.0
6.0

This is sure a simple way of looking at gaps. At first glance, the 5.0
to 6.0 gap looks way too big. I don't have anything smaller than a 4.8
right now, so I can't comprehend if the above gaps are reasonable or
not.

I didn't realize how quickly the percentage decreases if you just focus
on 0.5m2 increments...

3.5     GAP%
4.0     14%
4.5     13%
5.0     11%
5.5     10%
6.0     9%

I guess this gets back to whether you believe in purchasing sails from
one manufacturer or not. It also touches on whether you trust the
manufacturers' measurements.

If you look at Simmer's Icon wave sails, the following would
approximate the 15% gap as closely as possible.

3.0     GAP%
3.3     10%
3.7     12%
4.2     14%
4.7     12%
5.3     13%
6.1     15%

The more I look at this the more I realize that you will end up with
smaller gaps in the smallest of sail sizes, which is probably what you
are after anyway.

On Oct 31, 8:07 am, "Bartlomiej Swiderski"

If you decreased the size of your 4.0 by 20% of the 5.0, you'd be at a 3.0!

Here is your quiver sizing in percentage increases from a base size of
3.7 (rounded to the nearest decimal point):

10%             15%             20%

3.7             3.7             3.7
4.0             4.3             4.4
4.5             4.9             5.3
4.9             5.6             6.4
5.4             6.5
6.0
6.6            
Florian

Basically, if you are determined to hold onto a certain sail (nothing
wrong with that) then determine where it fits wrt the new sizes being
considered. If the same measurement paradigm is used to determine area,
then you can know with certainty where the older sail false on the
sizing range.  Don't reject the recommended sizing.  The sailmakers
build their ranges with a lot of thought to these increments, and
always consider the spars involved and the intended use.

Particularly on the smaller sails, trust the sailmaker when it comes to
spacing and spars, as they and their R&D dept often get a lot of
testing with smaller sizes as a method of creating the biggest size
spacings and/or fewest mast changes with which they feel comfortable.

And, it cannot be said enough, get the ideal mast for each sail unless
you know that you prefer another one or or willing to test on your own.
 It's hard to nail the balance between stiffness, weight and durability
when selecting a mast for a small size.  The only general rule is that
sails with less luff curve are often less mast sensitive.

More food for thought....

-Dan

Regards,
Bart

Hi to all,

Since we are talking about 60kt wind,  everyone should
remember that the power in wind is proportional to the
*square* of the windspeed!     That means a 60kt wind
has 4 times the power of a 30kt wind.    So you should
rig a sail 4 times smaller than what you normally ride
when it's blowing 30.

For me,  I'd rig a 0.9.    But then realize that the surface
area of my body is in that size range.   So no sail is actually
needed.  Just lash yourself to the mast and go!

You may find that the upwind performance of the
"human-body-as-sail" is less than ideal.  8^)

BF

4.0 + 20% = 4.8
4.8 + 20% = 5.76
5.76 + 20%=6.91

2. Scaling down by 20%

7.0-20%=5.6
5.6-20%=4.48
4.48-20%=3.58

By scaling down we receive 0.5m wider range.
I hope that this explanation will dispel all doubts :-)

Regards,
Bart

I typically sail 6.0 and down (5.0 & down since I've been living in
Wellington, NZ).  Based on the 6.0 as a starter, it typically feels
reasonable to go down to 5.2/3 or so, no problems.  5.0 is a stretch,
but I'd be sailing more overpowered on the 6.0 than I'd like.  Down
from the 5.2/5.3 - 4.5 would work just fine, but since my favorite
sails are 4.2 and 4.7, I tighten up the gaps there.

Overall, a quiver that would be adequate for me is: 6.0, 5.0, 4.2, 3.5
(20% gap up).
But, the quiver that I LIKE to use is: 6.0, 5.3, 4.7, 4.2, 3.7 (13-14%
gap).

I think it comes down to how often you sail and how much you want to
invest in the sport as opposed to other sports/hobbies/food/diapers
etc...

A couple of specific answers:  I think the 4.7 to 3.8 jump is too big.
Down to 4.0 is OK.  Your 5.3, 4.4, 3.5 idea is a stretch in the lower
end.  4.4 to 3.5 is quite a jump.  5.3 to 4.4 will probably work OK.  I
now have a 5.0, 4.4, 3.7 quiver and it covers everything well without
having to sail too overpowered ever.  As a freestyler, I am quick to
jump down sail sizes if I can.

Its always tough to invest in the smaller end due to lack of use...  I
can just justify it by acknowledging that I usually have 10 times the
fun!!

FISH

A couple of people mentioned that scaling up by 20% is a compromise between
comfort and price.
Definitely scaling up by 15% is more comfortable (unfortunately more pricey
as well).

Good Sailing,
Bart

I have a few words which may or may not have any wisdom.  Even though you
might only use them
once or twice a year, small sails are a necessity.  In that wind range you
need 1/2 meter spacing.

4.7 to 3.8 might be doable, but it's a pretty big gap in that wind range for
me.

My spacing (in the smaller sizes) is 4.7, 4.2, 3.7, 3.2.  I got my 3.2 out
twice this year,  when it happens,
you're very glad you have it.    You might want a 2.8 for 60+ Knots!  My
experience is that in that much wind it's
usually averaging around 40 knots with wild gusts and a few lulls.

-Craig

Check'm out if you ever get to the US, Washington, Columbia River, Hatchery.

-Craig