How it works
The New Parasailor wing
The most striking and significant difference between traditional spinnakers and the New Generation Parasailor is the pressure filled wing. In an opening between the upper and lower parts of the sail, a three-dimensional, air-pressurized, aerodynamic wing is positioned. Similar to the function of a parachute or a surf kite, this specially developed wing generates a force directed both upward and forward. This propulsion and lift are greater than the loss of thrust caused by the air escaping through the opening in the sail, meaning there is no loss, but rather additional lift is generated. As a result, the leverage on the masthead is reduced, which prevents the bow from being pushed into the water.
The structure of the wind-filled wing also acts as a lateral reinforcement (a ‘soft sail batten’) for the sail. As a result, the leeches collapses much later and more gradually than with traditional spinnakers. Should a sudden change in wind direction still cause the sail to collapse (much more ‘gently’ than usual), the massive shock, normally experienced when the spinnaker fills again, is a thing of the past.
So-called cross-ports are found inside the wing, which transfer wind from the already filled compartments to the adjacent compartments. This allows the Parasailor to open smoothly and in a controlled manner, significantly reducing the load on both sail and rigging.
Read more about how the Parasailor works on the technology page.
The opening in the sail
A second striking feature of the Parasailor is the opening in the sail. On the one hand, this allows the wing to function by letting air flow around it. It also provides for a smooth airflow through the sail and prevents turbulence around the leeches. On top of that, the opening serves as a pressure relief valve. A sudden gust can not escape from a traditional spinnaker. This often results in torn spinnakers or, even worse, the loss of the rig. With the Parasailor, however, excessive wind pressure can escape — and what’s more, it actually generates additional thrust and lift thanks to the wing’s effect. The boat remains stable and controllable and, just as important, the sail and rig remain intact!
Range of use
Thanks to its unique design, the Parasailor can be used in a much wider range than other colored sails, both in terms of wind angles and wind speeds. With a single sail, you can sail from 70 to 180 degrees apparent wind in conditions ranging from 2 to over 30 knots. No other sail replicates the performance of the Parasailor. Of course, when the wind exceeds 25 knots, it helps to know exactly what you are doing — but that’s where we support you. In very light winds combined with old swell, the force of the water can be stronger than that of the wind, and in such cases the moving boat cannot be steadied by any sail, not even by the Parasailor.
Material and production
The Parasailor is manufactured using specially developed materials that combine a very long lifespan with low weight. All sails are fully designed and calculated with the help of computer technology. This was necessary, as a 140 m² Parasailor easily contains around 650 components — about four times as many as a traditional spinnaker!
In production, aviation standards are applied, which, together with the materials and design, result in a highly durable product. ISTEC is also a manufacturer of very well-known and high-quality paragliders, so quality is guaranteed!