Dragonfly 28 - Sail and Trim Tips; Sail Diagram - Recommended Sails to Wind Speed

Sail and trim tips
SAIL DIAGRAM – RECOMMENDED SAILS TO WIND SPEED
DIAGRAM OF SAIL AREA TO TRUE WIND SPEED:
m/sec.
Knots
Beaufort
Upwind and beam reach
0-7
0-15
0-4
Full main + full genoa
8-9
15-18
5
Full main + full genoa
9-11
18-22
5+
Main 1 reef + genoa 1 reef
11-12
22-24
6
Main 1 reef + genoa 2 reefs
13-16
25-32
7
Main 2 reefs + genoa 2 reefs
17-20
32-40+
8-9+
Main 3 reefs + genoa almost completely furled
(Standard mainsail has only 2 reefs)
m/sec.
Knots
Beaufort
Downwind below 120° TWA
0-7
0-15
0-4
Full main + full genoa or spinnaker
8-10
15-20
5
Full main + full genoa or spinnaker
10-12
20-24
6
Main 1 reef + full genoa
13-16
25-32
7
Main 2 reefs + genoa 1 reef
16-20
32-40
8-9
Main 2 reefs (or no main) + genoa 3 reefs (or less)
20+
40+
10+
No main + almost fully furled genoa
For an inexperienced crew we do not recommend sailing in more wind than max 16 knots or 4
Beaufort. For people with normal sailing experience, we only recommend sailing in max 6
Beaufort (24 knots). For experienced sailors, we recommend sailing in max 8 Beaufort (35 knots).
For sailing in more than 8 Beaufort (35 knots true), this takes really good experience and expertise.
Please note that 3
rd
reef in mainsail is optional – not standard.
We must strongly advise to respect this sail/wind diagram for safe handling and sailing. Of course
the boat can handle more by experienced sailors, but this is fully at owner's own risk.
IMPORTANT:
Beware that by sailing from 8 m/sec (16 knots) true windspeed and up, attention to sailing is really
required. If pushing the boat hard or sailing in areas with gusting wind, the sheets must at all times
be held in hand for quick release. Especially, beam reach and downwind sailing requires full
attention. At beam reach or deeper downwind sailing, if a critical situation appears, always bear
off the wind very quickly, this is a very efficient way to depower the boat quickly and safe – but
bear off the wind QUICKLY.