Junk sails

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A junk in Hong Kong (this ship has its own sheet on each batten )

A junk sail is a fully battened , usually four- or pentagonal sail that is widespread in East Asia .

Similar to the lug sail, part of the sail protrudes forward over the mast . The sail is hoisted on a spar . The slats are originally made of bamboo , sometimes of flexible wood, modern versions are also made of aluminum alloys or synthetic fibers ( GRP , CFRP ). The bottom bar is often heavier and more stable, e.g. B. made of wood instead of bamboo, or weighted with lead or iron , and replaces the tree ; however, the transitions to the tree are fluid and it is often referred to as such in the literature. More running rigging are Spieren- or Rah rack ( yard hauling parrel ; see FIG. Rah ) and luff rack ( luff hauling parrel ), with which the longitudinal position of the sail is controlled.

The battens are simply tied together for reefing and recovery. The junk sail manages with less and simpler technology, but offers similarly good lift in the wind (wing effect due to battening) and space sheets or a larger area in front of the wind than a modern triangular Bermuda sail . That is why it is often the only sail on junks- rigged sailors.

Because of the

  • easy handling,
  • Versatility (good performance on all courses to the wind ),
  • robustness
  • low price (low-tech, no further different cut sails necessary),
  • and lower risk of accidents (light tree)

it is also valued by some long-haul sailors in the western world. British single-handed sailors Herbert "Blondie" Hasler and Michael Richey were pioneers in this regard ; her small yacht with junks sails - Jester (German: Narr ) - took part in all the competitions of this transatlantic regatta from 1960 to 1996, from Hasler in 1960 and 1964, and from 1968 to 1996 by Richey from the first Single-Handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) sailed.

A junk sail is self-turning . The risk of a patent neck is significantly reduced compared to Bermuda and gaff rigs; In strong winds, however, there is the risk of a "fan-up" in which the sails and battens are lifted forward from their normal position. For reefing , any number of battens can be lowered into the lazyjacks and, if necessary, tied in; compared to a western rig, this can be done at short notice if the weather deteriorates. To change the area of ​​the sail (set, meet, make, mount) the boat does not have to be turned into the wind, it is sufficient to lower the sheet so that the sail is in the wind. These properties make it easy to maneuver the boat under sail, which is particularly advantageous in confined areas. A accompanied as in Bermuda or gaff is not possible due to lack of headsails, the sail will instead turn veered into the wind.

Before the wind , the junk sail is usually superior to a Bermuda sail; it is usually less efficient on close-haul courses. The latter disadvantage has been reduced for several years by sewing an aerodynamic profile (camber) into the sail. The mast of a junk sail is almost always free-standing. It is often inclined a few degrees towards the bow, which makes turning easier. Due to the more even distribution of the wind forces over the sail on the mast, the mast can usually do without standing rigging . For the same reason, the canvas is less stressed and can be made of lighter material.

Compared to a Bermudarig, greater forces are usually required when lifting (pulling up), since the spar and slats also have to be pulled up; Due to the slats, however, the canvas is often made of a lighter material, which somewhat compensates for this disadvantage. The battening can also have a beneficial effect if the sail is damaged, as cracks cannot spread to the entire sail as easily. The larger number of sheets, however, is not a disadvantage, because these are only needed to trim the sail.

According to western categorization, the junk sail can be seen as a variant of the lug sail - but there are serious differences that identify the junk sail as an independent type of sail:

  • full batten
  • Pods on each or most of the slats
  • light tree by distributing the forces on the slats

See also: Junk

Web links

literature

  • HG [= Herbert George] Hasler, JK [= John Kenneth, "Jock"] McLeod: Practical Junk Rig . Design, aerodynamics and handling. Tiller Publishing, Easton 2015, ISBN 978-1-888671-42-1 (first edition: Adlard Coles Nautical, London 1988).
  • Annie Hill: Voyaging on a Small Income . Tiller Publishing, Easton 2006, ISBN 978-1888671377 (first edition 1993; German: With little money on a long journey . Get off, board, sail. Heel Verlag , Bonn 1998, ISBN 978-3893656639 ).

Remarks

  1. ↑ s. Result lists of the OSTAR races , Royal Yacht Club of England; accessed March 25, 2016.