How does a supermaxi sail?

[NICHOLSON58]

The flat top mains add to the perfromance of the main over-all. It is an extension of the ever larger roach. The old pointy top is only a convenient spreader of stresses to the lower, working part of the sail but not effective as drive. Its too small and proportionally shadowed by the mast. Once they learned how to make this work the top parts can help increase the drive and effective area without loosing aspect. Nearly all very fast boats use this now. The new rule for Tornado went to flat top. It is especially effective in light air and is easily curled off in heavy air and gusts without flogging. It added 15% to the main area on my Tornado and greatly increased the pointing ability.

[smackdaddy]

Cool. Thanks for the explanation Nich.

[mgmhead]

Supermaxi Sail Alfa Romeo is a 30 metre (98') boat with a 44 metre (144')carbon fibre mast.Said to average 22 knots in a mild sea with consistent 15 knot winds. Alfa Romeo Maxi Yacht

[sarafinadh]

heh.... on a sea of money?

[COOL]

Yes, Super Maxis operate on the principle
of converting massive amounts of money
into forward motion.

[tdw]

Alfa was parked right next to the Anzac Bridge in Sydney pre race. The AB is the second highest bridge in town (min clearance to roadway 30m) and Alfa's mast towered above the road. I drive across the AB from home to office and it was kind of weird to see some fella up the top of her mast way above the bridge deck.

Alfa had to sail past Wombat Manor on her way to the Harbour Bridge, it was a sight I have to say.

OTOH, Leopard (third across the line after Alfa and Oats) cannot get under the Harbour Bridge. They have to cant her keel to induce heel in order for her to pass. They do it at 10 knots or so by the look of things. Pretty cool to watch.

Alfa heading towards SHB



Leopard motoring towards SYB with induced heel.