Shock absorber for genoa sheets

Design 4 Sea - Applications of Technora Elastic Rope

Videos taken during Matxitxako - Horn sailing

Problem to solve

A genoa can inflate and deflate violently with the waves, when the pilot does not steer perfectly and/or in case of sudden gusts. The sail slaps and gives strong shocks to the sheet and the deck pulley. Bad for the material and hard for the nerves when the pulley bangs and bangs again.

The shock absorber is an "elastic barber hauler" that pulls the sheet of the genoa down and removes its slack at the same time. Advantages. 1) The sail slaps less often and less loudly because the sheet is kept under tension. 2) Whenever the sail slaps, the shock is absorbed (damped) by the elastic. This preserves the sheet and the deck pulley.

Take a look at this video. It contains 4 sequences, all of them under autopilot.

2012 11 11. Running in ~2.5m following sea, genoa + main sail in scissors. The sheet is free.

2012 11 11. A few minutes later, with a shock absorber made of 3 loops of 8mm Technora-polyethylene elastic rope.

2013 03 16 . Broad reaching. Shock absorber made of 3 loops of 8mm Technora-polyethylene elastic rope.

2013 03 17. Reaching, reefed genoa. Shock absorber made of a chain sinnet of 6mm Technora-polyester elastic rope.

Construction

Make a lark's head around the ring.

Braid a chain sinnet.

At the other extremity, insert the snap hook and braid 2 more steps.

Mounting

On any strong point (cleat, chain plate, shroud...) To secure, use the ring + a small safety rope or make a loop around the strong point by passing the snap hook into the ring.

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