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| Raul Valenzuela, one of the top-five Snipe sailors in Spain, blasting off a wave.
His sails were built by UK-Halsey Spain and designed by past Snipe World Champion Andy Longarela.
Andy is the owner of UK-Halsey Spain and he says, “Being a Snipe sailor is forever.” |
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| UK-HALSEY'S MAURÍCIO SANTA CRUZ DOMINATING J/24 CLASS |
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| Mauricio's MatriX Technora genoa stood out at the Italian National Championship; it was a different color and it was usually way in the lead. Leonardo Bianchi photo. |
Maurício Santa Cruz and his Bruschetta Sailing Team are dominating almost every
J/24 regatta they enter. As of last weekend they won the 42-boat Italian Nationals
and a month ago they won the US Nationals. Recent wins also included the Pasquavela
and the Trofeo Accademia Navale, both prestigious Italian regattas. Next on the
hit list is Kiel Week, the North Americans and the Pan American Games.
Maurício Santa Cruz has been a standout in the J/24 class for years; his resume includes three world championship titles, 2006, 2007 and 2009. This is the first year he has been part of the UK-Halsey team. His Santa Cruz Sails loft in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is now part of the 50-loft UK-Halsey group. Maurício is also taking over as the UK-Halsey one-design guru and will be developing sails for other classes as well.
BRUSCHETTA won the Italian Nationals by 17 points and didn't even have to sail
the last race. All their scores, except for one, were in the top three. Five
of the nine races that counted were first places.
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| Bruschetta jumping out to the lead just after a heavy air
start at the US Nationals in Dallas, Texas which he won. J/Boats Southwest photo |
Maurício used UK-Halsey's new T-1 genoa, which is an all Technora yarn MatriX sail. The sail is designed for light and medium winds. Except for the heavy air first race, the genoa was in its limits. "Our speed was very high during all the championship and all the sailors asked how we could have had that performance," said Maurício.
"After using the Kevlar genoa to win both the World Championship in Annapolis in 2009 and the 2010 South American Championship, I had the idea to test the Technora genoa because I knew that it could be better for light winds. This kind of sail is much easier to trim, especially for those who do not have time for training. The Kevlar sail is better for medium to heavy conditions, but the tuning required to use it in light air is too exacting for most sailors."
"If you have any questions about which sail is best for your boat, get in touch with me. It will be great to give you a hand!" Maurício's one-design sails are built by either UK-Halsey's one-design production loft in Texas or his own loft in Brazil to ensure exacting quality and fast delivery.
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| ACCUMEASURE UPDATE |
UK-Halsey
has just updated AccuMeasure, its a free digital sail shape analysis program
to run on PCs running Windows 7 in 64 bit mode. The program allows you to measuring
the flying shape of sails.
AccuMeasure allows users to place curved splines over the draft stripes in digital pictures of sails to find how deep
the sails are and how far aft the maximum draft point draft is.
These measurements help trimmers to repeat fast settings as well as documenting the aging process of sails.
Below is a perfectly smooth genoa that has been measured with AccuMeasure. Aesthetically the sail is very nice;
it is very smooth. But the AccuMeasure program tells a different story; this sail is no longer fast.
It has lost its useful aerodynamic shape. At the top two draft stripes, the draft position is more than
50% aft and the back of the sail is round, which creates backwind on the mainsail. The bottom picture shows a
brand new sail. Notice how the draft stripes look like airfoils with the draft position well forward;
the back of the sail is perfectly straight.
Sails age in much the same way children do —stealthily over time. You see your children day after day, year
after year, then suddenly they are adults and you wonder how the sneaky little devils grew up without your seeing
the process. Like with your children, pictures are the best way to monitor the aging process of your boat’s sails.
To get this useful the program, go to the downloads section of the UK-Halsey website (www.ukhalsey.com).
The e-mail address you received this newsletter at is your login to the UK-Halsey site. If this newsletter
article was forwarded to you, you’ll have to create a login before downloading the program.
click hereto download a 16-booklet on the program. |
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| UNDERSTANDING LIGHTNING |
Lightning refers to one of the several forms of visible electrical
discharge that typically occurs during thunderstorms.
It is essentially a giant spark that jumps between pools of positive and negative electrical charge
that form inside thunderstorms. They can sometimes form during volcanic eruptions or dust storms as well.
The primary forms of lightning discharges are cloud-to-ground (CG), cloud-to-cloud (CC), in-cloud (IC)
and cloud-to-air (CA). Rare forms also include ball lightning. Lightning is very hot and can reach temperatures
approaching 30,000C (54,000F). Its optical output is equivalent to 100 million light bulbs going on and off.
There are some 16 million lightning storms in the world every year with roughly 1500 to 2000
thunderstorms around the world at any given time. Lightning flashes around 50-100 times per second on a
global basis. The average lightning bolt has a peak current of 30,000 amps and the electrical potentials
in a lightning discharge can range up to 200 million volts.
Approximately 70% of the lightning occurs in the tropics where the majority of the thunderstorms occur.
Lightning detection networks suggest that lightning strikes the ground 25-30 million times per year.
The state that has the distinction as the hot spot for lightning is Florida, with central Florida being the leader,
while the mountainous areas of the Congo may be the top dog worldwide.
One common question that has been asked is whether lightning strikes up or down. The answer is essentially both ways.
Typically, the initial lightning streamer (stepped leader) of a cloud to ground lightning strike starts within the
cloud and approaches the ground. As it gets closer to the ground or an object, the presence of opposite charges on
the ground enhances the strength of the electric field. The electric field is strongest on objects whose tops are
closest to the base of the thundercloud, such as trees or tall buildings. If the electric field is strong enough,
an upward streamer comes up from the ground and meets the stroke coming down. This completes the path and you get a
much greater current to propagate from the earth back up the leader to the cloud. This is called the return stroke.
This brilliant (most luminous) “return” stroke from the earth back to the cloud is what we actually see.
The electrical discharge rapidly superheats the channel and causes the air to expand rapidly.
This produces a shock wave that we hear as thunder. The rolling and gradually dissipating rumble is
caused by the time delay of sound coming from the different portions of the lightning stroke.
You can get a fairly accurate reading as to how close the lightning is to you by counting the seconds
between the flash of lightning and the bang of the thunder and dividing by 5.
Sound travels about a mile in 5 seconds. So, the less time between the flash and the bang,
the closer the lightning strike.
There are 2 distinct types of cloud to ground lightning flashes. The most common
(maybe as much as 95% of the total) are negative charges. These flashes lower
negative charge to the ground and most often comes from the lower portion of
the thunderstorm cloud. The other type is a positive charge, typically originating
from the upper part of the thunderstorm. These positive lightning strikes lower
positive electrical charge to the ground. The positive strokes generally have
stronger peak current, as much as 10 times higher than a negative charge. The
positive charges are less likely to have multiple strokes in a flash, and often
have a continuing current (lasting about 10 times longer than negative charges).
Positive lightning often strikes near the edge of the thunderstorm or even several
miles from it. This allows the object that has been “hit” to get extremely hot
and may cause ignition, or a fire to start. These positive charges are thought
to be mainly responsible for starting forest fires.
Read
the full article ...
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Commanders' Weather Corporation is a leader in supplying individualized weather
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| REVISITING THE JIB TOP: A NECESSARY DISTANCE RACING SAIL
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In the 2011 edition of the
180-mile Block Island Race, UK-Halsey customers showed that having the right
sails for the job gets you onto the podium. A lot of the race was close reaching
and the sails that made a huge difference were code zero spinnakers, jib topsails
and reaching staysails. Colin McGranahan, owner of the J/130 DRAGON FLY said that
they won their division as a result of their jib top and staysail doublehead rig.
“For the 70 miles coming back down Long Island Sound we kept switching between
the jib top and the code zero. The JT went up when the wind went forward and then
it was replaced by the code zero when the wind shifted aft some.
The jib top and staysail combo is fantastic.
Perfect sails for distance racing on the Sound.”
Much more is written about codes zeros in comparison to jib topsails because
code zeros are a relatively newer sail. Here is a refresher on a killer distance
racing reaching sail.
The jib topsail is genoa designed for reaching. The draft of the sail is fuller than a standard genoa and
the clew is cut high so that the sail will not twist off too much at the top when eased.
The high clew of the Jib Top also keeps the foot out of the water in big waves.
 
The jib top has the same overlap as a No. 1 genoa, but the LP is smaller,
while the head angle is wider (see diagram to the right). Looking at the picture
of the blue J/133 SIRENSONG (Blue boat on the left above) you can see that the
leech of the jib top twists to mirror the leech of the mainsail, which keeps
the slot between the sails open and powerful. Now compare SIRENSONG’s JT, to
the standard No. 1 genoa on a similar sized boat (Red J/46). Both boats were
sailing the same course and the red boat did not have a jib top. Notice how the
top of the sail is twisted open and the bottom of the sail is pointing toward
the centerline of the boat, which is forcing the main to be trimmed tighter than
necessary.
Click here to see a video of Butch Ulmer describing the benefits of the jib topsail,
code zero spinnaker and reaching staysails. |
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| OPTIMIST DEVELOPMENT UPDATE |
The UK-Halsey design team is working with a competitive group of junior sailors
at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club to make the fastest sails in the Opti Class.
The RHKYC team and UK-Halsey are working through an intensive three-boat testing
program to improve the Mega 3 design. The development team included Sophie Tulloch,
Clara Frantz and Ferdinand Heldma who were coached by Richard Knight and Nick
Hollis. They are testing the exit and twist of the leech of the new sail, to
improve performance upwind and downwind ... results are proving promising with
the team. |
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| MATRIX
SAILS AND SMART SAILING TAKE FARR 9.2 WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP |
 The Farr 9.2 Association held their annual State Championships over the
weekend in April, 2011, at Cruising Yacht Club and sailed in the waters off Rockingham,
Western Australia, in a wide range of sailing conditions.
Allan Coutts, sailing his well-prepared EQUALIZER, proved that he did not lose his touch by winning all the
heats by large margins. He never dreamt that he would come away from a six-race series with six wins.
What a great result.
Allan had new UK Halsey MatriX working sails, plus a new UK Halsey Spinnaker. “Our sails where excellent,
we had boat speed the whole time in all conditions,” said Coutts. “I always felt that if we didn’t get
the best start, we where able to sail out of trouble with great speed, our New MatriX mainsail was fantastic.
Our new spinnaker helped us to sail away from the fleet downwind.”
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| NICOLAS BERENGER WINS LONGTZE ONE-DESIGN CLASS AT SPI OUEST
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La Trinité, Brittany, France: Flying MatriX Titanium sails made by
UK-H France, Nicolas Berenger won the 20-boat division by two points over the
North Sails Germany team on WETFEET DE. |
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| WASAB! WINS PLACES IN BIGGEST HANDICAP DIVISION AT SPI OUEST
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WASAB! finished third in the 52-boat IRC 3 class at Spi Ouest. This was a very
tight division with all the boats rating between .990 and 1.018. WASAB! is a
JPK1010 and there were five others in the division. Vincent Willemart, owner
of WASAB!, was happy to be on the podium and happy to beat the other five JPK1010s.
He is also very happy with is new MatiX Titanium sails which Michel Lefebvre
of UK-H Benelux delivered and helped trim during the regatta. The next race
for his boat and team is the 630-mile
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SAILBOAT ENGINE SECRETS - DOES YOUR ENGINE LOSE POWER WHEN YOU SPEED UP?
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Does your small marine diesel engine hesitate like a lamb or roar like a lion when you increase speed? Follow these five steps to solve the problem fast:
1. Clogged Fuel Filters
Dirt and gunk block a smooth flow of fuel from the tank through the fuel filters back to the engine.
If your primary fuel filter has a separator bowl, shine a flashlight through the bowl to check for
water or dirt. Drain the bowl of contaminants. Change fuel filters at least once a year in separator
and non-separator type fuel filters.
Remember to change the secondary fuel filter (located on the engine near the injection pump) once a year.
This filter serves as the final sentry to stop dirt before it gets to the injectors.
Keep your fuel tank 90% full to discourage algae growth on the tank walls. Add a biocide solution to the fuel to stave off harmful microbes.
If you cruise to foreign ports, change fuel filters more often. To be on the safe side,
use an in-line filter between the fuel hose and your tank.
2. Clogged Air Filters
Look for black smoke coming from the marine exhaust hose at the stern when you accelerate.
This indicates air blockage, overload(see below) or dirty or clogged injectors(see below).
Change your air filters once a year to keep the engine purring like a cat.
3. Overload Warning Signs
If you know your fuel and air filters are clean, your engine could be working too hard.
Check these three things:
- fouled boat bottom (barnacles and algae)
- bent or oversized prop
- line wrapped around the propeller shaft (rope, fishing line or trash)
If practical, dive down and check the propeller and shaft. Otherwise, you might need to hire a
diver or haul your boat out of the water.
4. Stuck Valves Create Back Pressure
Small cruising sailboat skippers rarely run their engines at high throttle long enough.
Carbon deposits in the cylinders can gum up valves and cause them to stick in the closed position.
Back pressure causes your engine to lose power. Change your oil and oil filter twice a year to
avoid this problem.
5. Dirty or Clogged Injectors
When dirty fuel gets past your fuel filter "gate guards", the injectors clog up. Your diesel engine
loses power, hesitates or refuses to run. Change your fuel filters at least once a year (see #1).
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Cruising boat skippers can expect great service from their small boat diesel engines when they
follow these simple preventative maintenance tips. Change your fuel, air and oil filters often to
keep your engine running like a top!
This article came from Captain John Jamieson’s SkipperTip.com. Jamieson, with 25+ years as a
master mariner, has developed a unique, step-by-step training method that will show you the skills you
need for safer sailing anywhere in the world. You can buy his book with 187 different lessons or
subscribe to his website where you can watch short videos or read concise articles like this one.
Click here to sign up.
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| MAYBE NOT NINE, BUT TAPE-DRIVE DOES HAVE QUITE A FEW LIVES
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We have always said that Tape-Drive is the longest lasting laminate sail you can buy. After Tape-Drive loses its racing shape, there is still enough strength left in the sail for many years of cruising, deliveries and daysailing. And now we know that there is still strength left for yet another life. See below.
Above is a local fishing boat in Guam with a Tape-Drive mainsail. Al Scal who lives in Guam, has been
collecting old sails and giving them too island people in the Pacific so they can live and work their boats.
This is truly a good cause and a great way to recycle.
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| UK-HALSEY TOUGH ENOUGH FOR MINI OCEAN RACERS
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 UK-Halsey
Sailmakers is supplying sails to the only United States production builder of
Mini TrasAt 6.5. These powerful 21-footers are the weapons of choice in Europe
that aspiring professional sailors use to make their mark in the sport of shorthanded
ocean racing. Open Sailing of Southern California is building the Pogo 2 designed
by the Finot / Conq Achitect Group. The design is a proven winner; ever since
being launched in 2002 the Pogo 2 has finished on the podium at every event
on the European circuit including the ultimate Mini TransAt race - the 4,200-nautical-mile
Singlehanded race from France to Brazil. With a beam close to 10 feet and a
very low center of gravity created by an L-shaped keel drawing 5' 3"
and weighing 948 lbs, the Pogo 2 is very stable and accelerates very well downwind.
Their asymmetrical spinnakers are massive and fly off a bowsprit that can be
canted to windward. The boats are steered with double rudders for maximum control.
Minis are showing up at more and US events including the 630-mile Bermuda 1-2.
For more information, click here for
the Open Sailing website or contact them by e-mail at: info@opensailingusa.com. |
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| THAI TIGERS
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Congratulations to Marcel Liedts and the crew of his
Archambault 40 ELEKTRA, which won the 14-boat IRC Class
1 at the 2011 Koh Samui’s International Regatta,
sailed off the Koh Suami, the second largest island
in Thailand. After 10 races, over five days, ELEKTRA’s score line included four
firsts and three seconds. She beat the second place Australian Beneteau
First 44.7 ICHIBAN by four points. A custom-designed Mills 40 was third. Fourth was another Archambault 40,
SELL SIDE DREAM, owned by, Simon Powell, which also flew a full inventory of MatriX Titanium sails.
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| UK-Halsey International, 175 City Ave., City Island NY 10464 |
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