Technology is making it easier, safer and more fun
Technology is making it easier, safer and more fun
OVER THE LONG course of human history, sailing has played an integral part in our development. Needless to say, the ability to sail seems to exist in our DNA.
Practically speaking, as a matter of exercise sailing has been difficult and even complicated for most of the participants. A certain amount of knowledge and physical fitness are essential in the requirements to sail. However, nowadays sailing has adapted to become quite easy thanks to the new materials and sophisticated technologies being developed.
In fact, sailing has become easier than ever.
Needless to say, the sheer pleasure and enjoyment of contemporary leisure sailing often comes with the feelings of navigating in wind, no matter if it goes in a statement of silence or loving music. It has also been expressed in the most glamorous way that appreciating the power of the sea and the values that spending quality time with our beloved families, friends and business partners.
Primarily, sailing simply is not about fierce racing against other boats and crew anymore. There’s no more purely pulling ropes by hand and struggling on winches like a coffee grinder as done in the old times. Such a scenario has been avoided in a big way with modern technologies that have been transferred successfully from superyachts.
Furling boom, furling jib, self-tacking jib and electric or hydraulic sail trim systems have been developed in order to reduce the workload and also the number of crew on big sailing boats.
These technologies and experiences are becoming available on smaller boats as well. With the development of easy concept yachts, sailing is becoming a more and more relaxing activity that anyone can enjoy without the concerns of the heavy workload required in the traditional way.
One such example is the Solaris Yachts One 48 Everblu, which is based at Gold Coast Yacht Club in Hong Kong. She is equipped with hydraulic furling boom, self-tacking jib and electric winches that are oriented for one-person sailing. This single-handed yacht is the only one of this kind throughout all Asia.
Quite sensibly, safety levels have been increased in a substantial way by enabling one person to reduce the main sail in 15 seconds without any risk while working safely in the cockpit.
In a traditional yacht of 48ft, three or four experienced people are needed to manage the reefing procedure. Furthermore, it would take 10 or 15 minutes to roll up the sail while working in a dangerous area near the mast and boom on the open deck.
Reducing the main sail while the wind is increasing beyond certain limits is the most difficult and dangerous operation, especially in high seas at nighttime.
Let’s look at hoisting the main sail. Two crew are needed to open the sail bag. While the skipper stays at the helm, the same two crew stay at the mast to pull down the halyard. One crew is at the winch to pull and maybe another is needed to work the handle. That’s a total of five people.
In an easy concept sailing yacht you need only yourself: bow upwind, engage the autopilot, pull two little ropes to open the folding main sail cover, push the main furler release button and the winch activation button.
It’s the same when opening the jib by simply activating the electric winch, versus the two or even three crew needed in the traditional way.
Furling the jib is one of the two moments when you touch a rope to manage by hand the jib sheet and push the winch activation button. For the mainsail, upwind, autopilot on, mainsail halyard stopper opened, halyard controlled by hand, push the furling boom button and release the halyard. Mainsail down, pull the two little ropes and the folding cover is closed.
With the traditional way, you need one crew to release the mainsail halyard, two crew to pull down the sail and fold it the proper way, and closing the mainsail bag takes two crew.
If the systems fail, you still have a full back up working with handles in the traditional way. However, all of these situations can be handled by one person.
A self-tacking system keeps the cockpit free for your family, friends and partners when sailing for relaxation and leisure. The traditional way needs two or three crew and the cockpit is busy when performing the manoeuvres.
This modern technology will let you discover and fall in love with sailing – truly one of the best ways to increase your quality of life, which is what matters the most as time goes by.
Enrico Zanella is an airplane pilot and avid sailor from Italy who has lived in Asia, including Hainan and Hong Kong, since 1999. After working in the corporate business jet industry, he’s been involved in the yachting industry in Asia since 2002 with a focus on China. Zanella has represented shipyards such as Wally Yachts and Perini Navi, and currently represents Solaris Yachts in Asia.
egz@solarisyachts.com
www.solarisyachts.com
