(Image: Karver KFH1)
By: Nick Black / Andy Rice
Most modern boats today have a form of top-down furling. If you don’t already use this method of sail handling, it’s worth considering a retrofit. Compared with hoisting and dropping spinnakers and gennakers in the conventional way, and all the potential for mistakes that go with that, top-down furling is a much more user-friendly and less risky way of handling big downwind sails.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – here at Upffront we are passionate about lighter, faster and safer sailing. As a result, we are constantly searching for performance orientated solutions that will optimise sailing for all. However, whilst we offer lightweight solutions for a variety of sail configurations, it is the traditional furling system that comes up trumps for use with a single, large genoa sail that needs to be reefed.
By: Nick Black / Andy Rice
In the last blog post we talked about the pros and cons of External versus Internal lock systems. Here we’ll look more closely at the internal systems available, which tend to be aimed at the performance-oriented programs that are prepared to pay more for superior aerodynamics.
It’s no surprise that the Facnor FlatDeck is the newest addition to the Upffront website: it’s the latest in genoa furling innovation.
Facnor are the self-professed ‘worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing furling systems’. Award-winning, the French brand possess over 30 years experience in the marine industry, providing furling systems for shipyards, ocean sailors and racers.
By: Andy Rice, SailJuice
Co-owner of independent rigging company, Rigging Projects, Nick Black is one of the most sought-after riggers in the business. One way or another Nick’s work has made its way into most of the top tiers of the sport - the America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, Vendée Globe, the grand prix circuits like the TP52s, and in the superyacht scene.
In the previous article we talked about the fundamental benefits of having sails secured by a lock system as opposed to the traditional halyard cleated off at deck level.
Once you’ve decided to install a lock system, the next decision is, are you going for internal or external?
By: Andy Rice, SailJuice
Co-owner of independent rigging company, Rigging Projects, Nick Black is one of the most sought-after riggers in the business. One way or another Nick’s work has made its way into most of the top tiers of the sport - the America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, Vendée Globe, the grand prix circuits like the TP52s, and in the superyacht scene.
