Aerodynamic rigging delivers sailing performance gains

Future Fibres, a subsidiary of mast-maker Southern Spars since 2014, was receiving a lot of interest in its new range of carbon yacht rigging, where the profile has been changed from a cylinder to both an elipse and extended elipse shape.

“We have a composite cable for just about every application out there,” explained Future Fibres’ Composite Components Business Leader, Tim Hall.

“Recently we have seen a move towards more aerodynamically efficient profiles, so we have focussed on bringing our solid and multi-strand carbon into a new cross section. We started by diversifying our solid Razr carbon rigging into our AEROrazr rigging, and now with our AEROsix rigging we have a new design that offers a 2.7:1 ratio elipse.”

Whilst Razr and AEROrazr are aimed at the top end of professional racing, the new AEROsix is more for the yachtsman who wants a high-performance rig for cruising as well.

The new rigging features a central carbon plate through centre of the shroud with cylindrical multistrand carbon rods on each side. The diameters reduce towards the edge to give the aerofoil section. The whole shroud is held together with a woven outer jacket of carbon.

“The aerofoil shape reduces air impact when going upwind,” Hall explained.  “This has been proven using extensive wind-tunnel tests. In a typical race, such as a Caribbean 600, you can gain up to a 12-minute advantage, which is a substantial margin from a comparatively simple piece of technical equipment.”

The other advantage of the new products is the reduced weight aloft. AEROsix is 70% lighter than an equivalent stainless-steel alternative.

“Our Razr brand of solid carbon rigging is aimed at professional crews, such as IRC72s, and we are supplying the America’s Cup contenders with the new aerofoil design, AEROrazr,” Hall said.