DRS Sail?

drewb8s · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009

What is a DRS sail and what is it used for?

patrickrea · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewb8s

What is a DRS sail and what is it used for?

Drifting, Reaching Spinnaker. Used for light wind and reaching. Basically its's an assymetrical.

drewb8s · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009

an assymetrical? what does that mean? so basically a DRS is a spinnaker right or is it a specific kind of spinnaker? Does anyone have a link where i can see a DRS?

DwayneSpeer · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009

Google "drs sail". You will get several hits that are appropriate.
It's basically a cruising chute.

patrickrea · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-2009

Basically it behaves like a really big light genoa. A regular spinnaker has both side edges identical, uses a pole to get the sail outboard and is attached only at the top and then has sheets and guys to control the rotation of the sail around the front of the boat and to trim the sail. A symmetrical spinnaker requires constant trimming to maintain shape and is efficient from a beam reach down to a dead run.

A DRS or assymetrical has a short side between the head and what becomes the tack. A sheet to control sail trim is attached to the clew and the tack is attached by a strop or short line to a bow fitting. It trims like a genoa and doesn't need a lot of tweaking to get good results which is why it is popular with cruisers.It is very efficient from a close reach down to just below a beam reach.