The first Sailchute designed for sailing vessels launches at Sanctuary Cove

Sailchute                                                                                    

Exhibitor Sailchutes Australia is launching in Australia the first Sailchute designed for sailing vessels.

Perfect for downwind conditions, the Sailchute is connected to the vessel via a tackline and a halyard, so it is easy to hoist and ideal for a short-handed crew.

Rather than the wind pushing the boat along, the Sailchute pulls the boat, lifting the bow and thereby ensuring smooth sailing.  This means there is no need for other sails as the sailchute pulls the boat on a steady downwind course.

The Sailchute can be easily deployed and dropped by one or two people, and as rudder movement is minimal, the autopilot can comfortably do its job. Sailchutes are available in varying sizes for boats including 25ft, 28ft, 30ft, 32ft, 36ft and 38ft options.

Custom Sailchutes can be made to order. The exhibitor recommends Sailchutes are best flown in wind speeds of 10 to 25knots. Sailchutes have been produced in Australia in consultation with experienced skippers and sailors.  The sail can be packed into a tidy chute bag.

Sailchutes Australia’s Anne Stockdale said sailors typically choose either a spinnaker or with the main and head sail out either side of the vessel when sailing downwind. “The spinnaker can be difficult to control especially when short-handed as it requires constant trimming,” she said.