Aeroluff Genoa

[tandm]

This is not excusively a Cataina 34 topic but can anyone explain the basics of the Aeroluff fitted genoa?  I have searched the Web and descoverd very little.  I noticed a reference to Aeroluff on the North Sails site ( I am in the early stages of "specing" a new head sail) but no explanation. I know I can always ask a loft sales person but...

td
Peregrine #543

[Stu Jackson]

TD

The concept is to have the middle of the furling sail roll up evenly with the top and bottom (head and foot) along the luff by placing what is essentially a bunch of foam in the middle section of the sail.

I'd suspect that a Google search on Aeroluff would give you lots of hits.

[bjmansfield]

TD
The Aeroluff "system" has the luff bolt rope only in about the middle 1/3 of the sail. The full luff of the jib is attached to the aluminum extrusion on the forestay by a zippered sleeve. The idea being when you start reefing or furling the sail, it furls from the middle out with the belly of the sail being furled first making for a much tighter furl.  There is no foam used in this system.

In my experience, in actually works quite well when reefing.  The shape is much better than systems using foam attached to the luff.

The downside of this system is while the sail can be dropped relatively easy, it is a two/three man job to hoist it and can be a real bear as the zippered sleeve is a tight fit around the extrusion and there is a LOT of friction when hoisting.  The only time I have ever dropped the jib is when hurricanes appear to be imminent.  

Jack Mansfield

[tandm]

Many thanks for the information. I got a lot of hits on the subject using Google and several other search engines but, for the most part, they lead to boats for sale; not descriptions or explanations of Aeroluff genoas.  I usually only take my genoa down once a year in the late Fall, so it doesn't mildew during the Winter monsoons. I guess it would be a questions of how willing I am to suffer bending on the genoa once a year.

td
Peregrine #543

[bjmansfield]

I haven't tried it yet but the next time I drop the jib, I'm going to use a liberal application of sailcoat? dry lubricant on the sleeve as I hoist it. I think that just might make a big difference.

Jack