Helia 44: Parasailor - 140 or 156 m2?

[Cheeky Monkey]

Anyone out there installed a Parasailor on their Helia 44? I'm getting two conflicting pieces of advice - that either the 140m2 or the 156m2 is the correct size. Anyone got either of these sizes and got any feedback as to whether they feel it's the right size?

Thanks a million,
Ryan

[monte]

Ryan, I think Gordon has the 156m2
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...in-136961.html
The 140m2 would probably be fine as well. We have the 125m2 on our 10T cat and its good for us. Personally id probably go for the 140m2 for the Helia, but have a chat to Gordon about his thoughts.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Thanks Monte.
Any ideas how I can get hold of Gordan/Larrikin? I can't find a blog for them.

Thanks a million,
Ryan

[monte]

Try send a private message or email using the forum.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Thanks Monte.

I'm new to this and still learning! I couldn't find an email address, but PM him.

Best,
Ryan

[monte]

No worries, send me a PM and ill forward his address if you like

[spiv]

Hi Ryan,

I had a 186 sqm on my Salina, the best sail I ever had!
I'd go for the bigger one, just don't listen to any other owner's blog where they say that they keep it up on 30kn. Big mistake.

The sail is great in light winds, mine stayed up and drove us downwind in 6kn true wind.
If you make a rule to take it down at the factory recommended wind speed, it will serve you for many years.
Mine blew out at 25kn.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Hi Spiv,
Was it a Parasailor 186?

Ryan

[spiv]

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey

Hi Spiv,
Was it a Parasailor 186?

Ryan

Well, of course, we are talking about Parasailors here....
It was 186 sqm (m2), before I blew it and it was a total loss, easier to build a new one than try to repair it.

[cwjohm]

Hi

Have a 156 which I bought from someone who found it a little hard to handle and converted to a 140.

I think the 156 is the right size but the 140 is easier to handle. I would not want to use this sail without at least 3 crew onboard.

[cwjohm]

Also one other thing. Replace all halyards with dyneema prior to sailing on the boat. The polyester halyards provided by FP are garbage. Unfortunately I found out the hard way with a screecher over the side and a blown main halyard.

[monte]

Good points. Also check the halyard turning block and upgrade if need be. The parasailor puts a lot of load on it, more then a normal spinnaker as it can be flown in higher winds. Quite a few turning blocks break or the mast fitting breaks. I think Gordon replaced a screw or two on his. We fly ours up to 30kn or so TWS, so apparent around 20-25kn. After that it's just the jib. Ours survived 37kn TWS but it wasn't pretty and not much fun dropping it in that wind. Jen and I handle the 125m2 easily enough in normal conditions up to 30kn

[Jeffrey Oc]

Hi folks,
Just spoke with David of Vivant a Helia 44...he has just installed the PS 156 m2
And he believes Gordon & Louise on Larakin have the same.
Cheers J

[monte]

Hi Jeff. Summers coming! How's your winter been and where are you off to this season?

[David R Broise]

To all it may concern: Parasailor's are great sails, but be warned the recommended wind ranges for use of the various sizes from your friendly sail maker are just that, a guide. And as someone who has sailed the Atlantic North to South , East to West and the reverse of same, delievering boats for very proud owners who have spent a awful lot of money on their pride and joy. In the tropics with wind density being what they are in such parts of the world 30knots may be possible, but try that 30knots in higher latitudes say North of the Azores and 30knots and heavy seas, your very large Parasailor set will more than likely be bits at the mast head, not to mention a helm person hanging on for dear life wondering A) who the joker was that put the ..... thing up in the first place , and B) more to the point who the ..... is going to get it off before he ( the helm ) looses it completely......