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HOT TOPIC
HOT TOPIC We discuss important topics with marine industry experts who share their opinions and top tips to help you get the most from your boating. IMPROVE CRUISING PERFORMANCE & SAFETY
New technology, as with high fashion, is usually introduced at the top end of the market and initially adopted by trailblazers sailing performance in recent years has come from high end yacht racing, for example through the popular IMOCA 60 Class. Designed to be sailed single before elements fi lter down to the mass market.
This is also true of new products introduced in the marine leisure industry.
Much of the development in cruising ty s ey However, the key to the performance of a top-down furling system is dependent on the torsional rigidity of the anti-torsion cable that connects the drum and the halyard swivel, transmitting the rotation of the drum enabling the furling to start at the top and work its way down. Imagine a fi gure skater spinning – they are taut and keep their limbs as close to their midline as possible so that they can turn quickly and fl uidly - they are not limp. Seldén provides the most rigid anti-torsion rope on the market, three times more effi cient than the second best, and it is included with all GX furlers. Really turning on the turbo, the power and acceleration achieved when unfurling a Code Zero or an asymmetric spinnaker is fantastic and makes sailing much more fun. www.seldenmast.com/products/ downwind-furling-systems or double-handed in races such as the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race, these remarkably powerful boats needed sail handling when shorthanded to be simple, effi cient and, above all, safe.
Technology fi lters down, designed for the cruising sailor Top-down furlers Just 15 years ago, like many cruising yachts, the IMOCA race boats were using a snuffer Michael Calvert, aftermarket sales manager at Seldén Mast, explains how to improve downwind cruising performance safely, whether you are sailing along the coast or crossing oceans. All images: Boat Club Trafalgar like the Seldén CX system on their downwind sails, meaning someone had to go forward to hoist or drop the spinnaker. The development of topdown furlers enabled the sail to be handled from the cockpit apart from the initial tack and clew attachment. This technology has fi ltered down to the cruising market with affordable and reliable furling systems, such as the Seldén CX and GX, designed specifi cally for the needs of the cruising sailor. Being able to remain in the The Seldén GX and CX are operated with an confi nes of the cockpit when sail handling, endless furling especially at night or when cruising solo, is also a big win in terms of safety at sea. line running over a line driver drum The sail can be attached and set up whilst s te y as fi tere still in the marina. You then simply hoist the down to the cruising market furled sail, release the furling line, pull on t a r a e a re a e the sheet and you have added power to your furling systems.” sailing, increasing downwind performance and creating a positive and enjoyable on water experience for your crew. The Seldén GX and CX are operated with an endless furling line running over a line driver drum. The furling line can be led all the way back to the cockpit and Seldén offers a purpose-built double fairlead and twin cam block for this specifi c set up.
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