More updates on the SoftWing sails:

    http://www.voiles-alternatives.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=336
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.284279928416094.1073741829.169341956576559&type=1
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/KISS-Multihull-AB-T29/511834502238630

  They have been testing what they are calling the V14 sail on a T29 trimaran with what appears to be a 12m stayed mast.

  The sail is not yet optimized, particularly for reaching, but they did say they can point ten degrees higher than a Farr 40, while moving faster, tacking through 60-65 degrees. 

  And that's on a 9 meter 1200 kg trimaran with an upwind SA/D of 58, not a 12 meter 700 kg proa with an upwind SA/D of 70 to 90 (depends upon the mast)!

  It's exciting to see the tests with a larger sail.  The T29 might only have a 12 meter mast (estimating from photos), compared to BL's 18+ meters, but that's still a more useful example than the earlier tests with the smaller boat.

  My dream of someone else doing all the hard work of developing a reefable wing sail that lets me use a fixed mast is slowly coming true.

        - Mike

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