A perfect race
Ullman Sails: Finding the right sail for
This is an evolving world and advancements are made each year in both respective categories, so the question is always a valid one, even for the experienced racer. The past few years have shown us that the N2E is not exclusively a light air race and it is important to have your entire basis covered when competing in any coastal or offshore race.
Upwind
The beginning, and sometimes the finish, depending on when you arrive in Ensenada, can be upwind, so let us start here. Boats that can accommodate a 155 percent overlapping genoa should take advantage of this. The large genoa will be versatile in the light air and allow you to crack off and use it for tight reaching. With the help of an outboard lead, your range will be even larger. For boats with non-overlapping headsails, it is important to have a few jibs to fly in the different conditions. Traditionally a Code 1 light air jib that is slightly fuller and made from a lighter-weight cloth would be preferred. In 2017, Ullman Sails has introduced some new products for the racing enthusiast that demands more durability for his or her sails. The new NWT (Non-Woven Textile) FiberPath sails are perfect for the As the annual N2E approaches, I run into people asking me the same two questions year after year, “What sails will I need to run a perfect race?” and “What are my cloth options?”
club racer and for large genoas that need more durability due to the amount of wear and tear incurred in each tack or maneuver. This new product combines the lightweight performance of film sails with the added durability that taffeta has brought to the equation. Laminating a .25-millimeter film to our 20 g/m2 non-standard taffeta, we create a membrane skin that weighs the same as 1 millimeter polyester film skin component, but has the increased tear strength and film support generally associated with much heavier taffeta skins.
Downwind
Having your downwind arsenal intact is going to prove crucial for navigating the course fastest and doing well. As the day progresses and the wind clocks to the west, you will be faced with some decisions. Having options will make these decisions easier and, in turn, be faster. You will most likely find yourself reaching soon after the start. A Laminate Code 0 or 1A Spinnaker that allows you to sail in the 70TWA100TWA will be called for. The laminate sail will be great for transferring load directly onto the boat since it does not stretch like a nylon spinnaker. Hopefully, the winds increase and continue to clock from here, and you can put up your running spinnaker. This would be either your 2A or 2S depending on your setup. Trending these days is the 2.5A which offers a little more versatility and not so much of a traditional “runner.” Our 2.5A on the J-125 “Timeshaver” allows us to put the bow up when needed, and rotate nicely to take advantage of those moments when we need to sail deep. If we experience wind such as we had in the last few years, then you will know that having a heavy air spinnaker will keep the boat in control and manageable. Having a 4A, “chicken chute” or something similar (depending on your budget) is going to make your heavy air sailing experience much more enjoyable. As the wind increases, you will notice the driver having to “fight” the helm. This usually results in a loss of boat speed and control. The size and shape of the sail will be tailored around your boat, so it is important to talk to your sail-maker in detail to get this one right.