Riding Sail

[LCBrandt]

On the C36IA home page there is a very pretty photo of John Gomolak's C36, Interlude, anchored out with a buddy boat. Interlude is flying a riding sail off the backstay.

My boat, as most do, tends to sail at anchor. I would appreciate any comments here on the benefits of a riding sail. How are they are attached on a split backstay? Cost? Photos?

[dwarburton]

I had a riding sail on my Tartan 28 and it worked fairly well, although it was home-made by the PO, and tended to flutter loudly in a high wind. It clipped to the topping lift.

Practical sailor has given high marks to the Findelta design.

https://www.bannerbaymarine.com/store/index.php?action=category&id=5

Dave

[bstreet]

There was a discussion about the issue of sailing at anchor on another website. They suggested using a small drogue, maybe 18 - 24" diameter on the anchor line just below the water. They went into great detail about the dynamics of what makes the boat sail on the anchor but the theory is that it needs more drag at the bow to offset the wind load on the rigging. I haven't tried this yet but intend to next summer. Several people claimed this will reduce sailing on anchor. We shall see.

[stu jackson c34]

Keep it simple, rig a bridle to your anchor rode and lead it back to a winch. Twist the boat a bit sideways and she'll stop hunting. Idea from Lynn and Larry Pardey.

[ProfDruhot]

You know Larry, after looking at the photos of the riding sail I don't believe that it would be that difficult making one yourself. I will talk to the Admiral, I'm sure that the cost owould be considerably less than what is listed online.

[Allan R]

Sailrite has a kit if you don't want to start from scratch.

Sailrite Anchor Riding Sail (http://search.sailrite.com/?freeText=anchor sail)

[deising]

...I don't believe that it would be that difficult making one yourself...

That reminds me of the joke told about the difference between most power boaters and most sailors. A powerboater sees a neat gadget at a boat show and says, "I'll take one in each color." A sailor says, "Hmmm, I bet I could make one of those."

[ProfDruhot]

Duane, I never heard that axiom, but it is in fact a trueism.

[TomSoko]

Glenn,
A buddy of mine made a riding sail for his CS36. It wasn't that hard to do. There is no "shaping" of the panels, as you want the sail to be as flat as possible. The sail on Interlude seems a bit small to me, but maybe it's just the angle. I used one all the time on Julandra, and it helped a lot.

[Steve Frost]

I think if you look for a book on oragami it may show you how to fold a bed sheet to do this job.

[StillaThrill]

I use the Sailrite large anchoring sail on Still a thrill and it works well. We sewed the kit up in a couple of hours and use the main halyatd to raise it on the backstay. We do not have a split backstay, but other C36's on the lake raise it above the split.

My current signature has a small photo of the riding sail.

[Ken Juul]

They are very easy to sew, I used a piece of old sail. Rear foot clips to the topping lift bail on the end of the boom, front foot is tied to the mast with a short piece of rope, the main halyard pulls the top tight.

Sail magazine had an article a few years ago with dimensions. They can be found by doing a search on the sail web site.

[LCBrandt]

I wonder about the aerodynamics of a riding sail. Would it really matter that it be on the centerline? Why not just attach it to either one of the split backstays? And wouldn't it be more effective the farther aft it is located?

[Ken Juul]

Yes the further aft the better. I forget the %, maybe 15%, I made mine bigger than suggested because it is on the boom rather than the backstay. I chose the boom position because my bimini limits access to the back stays. It does seem to help.

[Rob Kyles]

Ours is a bit larger and built for storm force winds - in case we have to use our parachute anchor in more than 30 knots...

We hank on the back stay, have a cheek block on the radar pole (Main halyard would work fine) and lead a sheet forward and to one side resulting in a bias to one tack. There is a downhaul on the bottom corner also.

This bias is meant to keep the 'sailing thru the wind' to a minimum. Works reasonably well could supplement the bridle idea above. If you can stay on one tack the sailing is reduced a lot. As rigged I estimate wandering is reduced by 60% or so, going by the GPS track at anchor, without a bridle. We've used it in 25 to 30 knots.

The photos show the boat riding one way then the other. The main halyard is pressed into service here to prevent the sheet rubbing on the dodger. I intend moving the cheek block higher up the back stay to tighten the top of the riding sail, and keep the sheet clear of the dodger without the main halyard...

If I had a split back stay I would definitely try attaching to one side.

[sailmailman]

I liked both the Sailrite and Findelta sails. Sailrite has a good video on their website on the details of making their kit and it would be fairly easy to put together and priced well. I watched the video several times and found it very helpful. The Findelta seemed like “the next generation” kind of design and its concept more aerodynamically effective than just a single panel. Plus the split backstays would not be an issue. I had some heavy coated rip-stop lying around so began conceptualizing. I got some red awning cloth from the local fabric store to finish the front fin, as well as basting tape. It’s been many years since I’ve sewn and I found basting tape to be a wonder thing, no more pins! It’s an intermediate project, beginners be advised, but good experience too. Sorry, I haven’t tried the sail on the hook yet but it hoisted nicely. The sheets attach to either the stern cleats or pulpit. It’s heavy enough to withstand a significant breeze. I have about 10 hours and a $100 in it. I’ll let you know how it works.