Waterlogged kite? © sail-maw 2009 040209. So what goes wrong? © sail-maw 2009 040209.
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Waterlogge d kite? © sail-maw 2009 040209
Transcript of Waterlogged kite? © sail-maw 2009 040209. So what goes wrong? © sail-maw 2009 040209.
Waterlogged kite?
© sail-maw 2009 040209
So what goes wrong?
© sail-maw 2009 040209
The chuteTop of chute is waterproof
Bottom is mesh, to allow spinnaker to drain
© sail-maw 2009 040209
The chuteWith the spinnaker up, water entering the chute flows straight out of the mesh bottom half
© sail-maw 2009 040209
The chuteWith the spinnaker in the chute, water flowing into the chute gets trapped in the folds of the sail and adds significant weight to slow the boat down and increases wear to the spinnaker
Photo © Bruce Bonar 2006© sail-maw 2009 040209
The chuteThe boat can be sailed without the spinnaker on board. During tacking, wind can funnel through the chute and make the tack trickier to complete
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What is needed?
So what is needed?
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What is needed?
1. Something to stop water getting trapped in the sail when it is in the chute
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2. If possible, something to reduce airflow through the chute when sailing without a spinnaker
What is needed?
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What is needed?3. Something that is at least semi-
automatic – there are enough ropes to play with already….
… not to mention the other ropes !
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hull
spinnaker chute chute mouth
rope blockscleat
spinnaker pole
So what is the
solution?
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What is needed?
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Solution must be cost-effective to manufacture in small quantities
Must be relatively inexpensive compared with other parts of the spinnaker system
Must be universal – no more than three sizes to fit 95% of asymmetric dinghies and catamarans
Must be brightly coloured – to maximise profile in the dinghy park and on the race circuit
Must be easy to fit
Should be as compact as possible when packaged for distribution and sale
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The invention
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Patent number GB2441521
‘Cover for the mouth of a spinnaker chute or sock’
Claims
1. A cover for a sail chute or sock mouth which is automatically operated through movement of the sail’s tack line.
2. A cover according to claim 1 in which the cover is flexible to allow for passage of sail lines and negotiation of obstacles.
3. A cover according to claims 1 and 2 in which the cover is designed to be shipped in folded form.
4. A cover according to claims 1 and 2 in which the central element of the cover is designed to ease disassembly for repair or at end of life.
5. A cover according to claim 1 in which the cover is held against the chute or sock mouth using an elastic device.
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The invention
© sail-maw 2009
Patent number GB2441521
‘Cover for the mouth of a spinnaker chute or sock’
Chute stopper
Spinnaker stowed in chute
Stopper held in place by elastic to spinnaker tack
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The invention
© sail-maw 2009
Patent number GB2441521
‘Cover for the mouth of a spinnaker chute or sock’
Chute stopper
Spinnaker flying
Stopper held securely in place at end of pole
Does not interfere with sail
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Proof of concept
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Proof of concept – worked but not flexible enough
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Trials
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Early prototype – too flexible
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Trials
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Prototype 3 – folding version – too fragile
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Trials
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Prototype 4 – on long-term test
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Designs
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Packaging designShown with early ‘folding’ chute stopper prototype
Instructions on reverse
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Designs
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Alternative packaging designFlat design, shown with the latest prototype
Instructions on reverse
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Designs
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Prototype 4 design
Chute stopper 30
Prototype 4 design
Spar components
Scale 1:1
1st May 2008
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