350 millimeters in the top: the head of the new Elvstrøm FatFurl furling mainsail
A big one with a horizontal instead of a pointed head - that was previously reserved for conventional rigs. You can see the cuts, known as "Fathead" in English-speaking countries, on more and more regatta yachts. All current Volvo Open 70 and Open 60 wear them, to name just one example. But they have also become commonplace on sporty cruising cats or monohull yachts. The advantage: more space in the top - where the wind is particularly strong. Less turbulence. Ergo: more propulsion.
However, the trend passed by roller masts. How can you choke the multiple reinforced mainsail head into the rig without delaminating the cloth or bending the mast?
Together with Seldén, Elvstrøm, one of the largest sailmakers in the world, has now developed a solution. The Danes have been working on the "miracle sail" for over a year, as head sail maker Søren Hansen says. It will later be marketed under the name "FatFurl".
FatFurl-Large from Elvstrøm
This could compensate for one of the last remaining disadvantages of furling mainsails, which they still have in terms of sailing performance compared to conventional cuts. The furling main has already caught up enormously in recent years - thanks to vertical battens and the use of membranes, it has become lighter, more profiled and easier to trim. With a flared head, there will be a little more area, better air flow in the top area and, on top of that, a more distinctive look. The large "FatFurl" will be used on the new Hallberg-Rassy 412, which recently celebrated its world premiere at the Hanseboot AncorBoat Show. The sail made from the in-house Epex membrane has been completed over the past few days at Elvstrøm's headquarters in Aabenra, Denmark. Søren Hansen, who came up with the technology, told YACHT online: "The headboard extends to the backstay and measures 350 millimeters, that's a lot. In addition, there is a lap of 3.3 percent of the leech length." For the time being, he doesn't want to reveal how exactly the rolling works
In addition to the new Hallberg-Rassy 412, Elvstrøm has tested the FatFurl technology on eight other boats - from a Bavari32 to an Oyster 63. The market launch could take place next autumn. The YACHT will soon have the opportunity to carry out extensive tests. We'll keep you up to date!