ISTEC's completely new parasailor2 is a breakthrough in sail design and will set a new standard in sailing. The special features of the parasailor2 mean that it can replace both traditional spinnakers and gennakers.

Enhanced performance:

The ISTEC parasailor2 makes it possible for the first time to use one sail as spinnaker and gennaker while providing improved performance. It can be used between 70 and 180 degrees to the wind. Relieving the pressure on the bow and the stabilising effect of the parasailor2 improve the effect of the rudder and decrease the rudderthrows needed.

Operating Principle:

The sail is divided into an upper and a lower section which allows a profiled, three-dimensional, pressurefilled wing to be positioned into the air current of the resulting aperture. This wing was developed in a similar way to a paraglider or surf kite but using a special profile and it creates considerable forward motion (1) and lift (2) see diagram. This decreases the horizontal force (3) on the spinnaker head and the resulting moment, and clearly relieves the pressure on the bow. Because of the internal force, the wing part of the parasailor2 acts as lateral support and stabilizes the leeches.

Advantages:

• Can be set without use of a spinnaker pole
• Pressurised wing performs like a soft batten preventing sail collapse
• Aerodynamic lift from the paraglider type wing
• Gust venting (slots in the sail act like as a pressure relief valve)
• Reduces stress on rig
• Smooth opening
• Easy hoisting and lowering
• Suppressed yawing and rolling
• Great stability
• Easy handling even for short handed crews

Greater Safety:

Rolling, yawing, pitching and broaching have been the main risks in sailing under spinnaker. Heavy seas and squally winds can result in even an experienced crew losing the spinnaker or, in the worst case, the whole rigging. The parasailor2 uses intelligent, patented technology to shift the sail's centre of pressure, which reduces this problem considerably.

Improved sailing comfort:

The lift of the wing relieves the pressure on the bow and reduces rolling, yawing and pitching. Despite higher speeds, this allows much more balanced steering of the boat and greater sailing comfort. The valve function of the parasailor2 aperture dampens gusts as surplus wind can quickly escape but at the same time it creates lift. The ISTEC sock with the newly developed oval carbon fibre funnel makes it considerably easier to hoist and lower the sail.

Longer sail and rigging life:

An above-average sail and rigging life is ensured by the optimised sail cut and reinforcement, not to mention use of manufacturing standards found in the aviation industry, and materials specially designed for ISTEC and the parasailor2. The aperture of the parasailor2 acts as a pressure relief valve and in gusts takes the surplus strength out of the sail. The increased lateral stability of the pressure-filled wing reduces considerably the collapse of the windward leeches and ensures a smooth reopening if necessary. The strains created both for the sail and also for the rigging and the boat structure are much less than with a traditional spinnaker.