How does carrying the furled hooter affect upwind performance, and, in order to furl the hooter is it necceassary to head downwind?

Eric,

I have a "Hooter" on my Nacra 6.0, and it does effect the upwind performance somewhat. The thing I like about it is that you can use it upwind in very, very light wind. Also, when that rare occassion occurs when it's too tight for a spinnaker, but just off wind enough, it really smokes. And, to answer your question regarding furling it --- do you have to be going downwind? You better be for sure! Just doesn't work well any other way, in fact I don't know if any furlers work well not going down wind.

If you are looking for something for that ARC21, the Hooter is a fun sail, but I recommend you opt for a spinnaker and see if we can get Tom and Bill to perfect the snuffer for it. Until then, just keep launching it off the deck. I think you'll get a lot more use from the spinnaker. -- It would be nice to have both though!

Eric,
I've got a Hooter on my SC20, and my experiences are pretty similar to Don's. Great reaching in light to moderate, will point upwind a bit in very light air. Good downwind, but not as deep as a spin. Absolutely must be going downwind to furl, and then requires some touch to prevent it from furling too tightly initially, it needs a minimum dia. to absorb all the sail with the limited amount of furling line. Great fun though! Dave

Don,
Have you tried launching the hooter from the deck?

Eric,

I haven't done much with launching the Hooter off the deck. It is easy enough to drop when it is furled and bungy cord it to the pole. This would get it out of the way going upwind, but it really isn't very practical except for a distance race. This is what the Corsair Trimarans do with their reachers / screachers, but they do have a little more deck space to manauver.

If you're up our way sometime, I'd be glad to let you take the Nacra out and see what you think about the rig for yourself.

Eric-

I have a roller furling spin for GMSails of Austrailia. I use a Fancor continous furler routed in a basic triangle from the spin pole to the forward part of the tramp [anchored by to blocks to the tramp]on my 22. Thw crew can furl from either side. It furls better when going down wind partially shadowed by the main. If a small amount of tension is on the sail going upwind ot seems to furl almost as well. With the continous feed the line doesn't bind nearly as much as a single line but the line only goes one way or you can unscrew the furler from the quick release. I have sailed it about five times pleasure sailing [aggressive but not racing conditions].

As far as upwind drag it depends how far the bouys are apart and what the scenario is. Usually it gets dropped after rounding the mark which is much easier than stuffing a bag. If the wind is howling it stays up because the 22 develops so much power that on the local lakes you can't realize a difference in vmg. Also helps to sail on weekdays instead of weekends due to the congestion that always gets in the way.

The normal flat spin for the 22 is around 615sgft while this one is about 450 sqft which is much better for the winds in my area [10-20 w/gusts]. I have a 615 sqft spin which is ok [poor sail shape] for August [winds under 12 almost always] but when it blows in Texas it comes hard and fast and the beaches suck around DFW area with a painted hull.

fair winds,

thommerrill
F25c 009 Charisma
ARC22 2234 Widowmaker
FMS20 57 being refinished