560: Parasailor or Not for a Multihull?

[Amara]

Hi All-
We currently purchased a Lagoon 560 and are looking into whether or not to purchase a parasailor for her as we are planning to eventually circumnavigate with her.

We have sat in on two of Jimmy Cornell's classes at different boat shows and he has always talked about the benefits of his parasailor. Of course, he was on a monohull.

My question to experienced Cat owners, is there a benefit of the parasailor for a multihull as well?

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge with us.

[Ozbullwinkle]

I am interested in this subject as well as I am considering one for a FP Eleuthera 60. I wonder if Jimmy Cornell has a financial arrangement with Parasailor which is why he promotes & uses them?

[Lagoon4us]

Hi we are opting for twin matching headsails so we can wing a wing in the trades.

Going for a FFR which is a flat reacher to cover from just off the wind to almost square.

We have many miles to sail back to Australia 24/7 there's just the two of us and we can't see us confidently under spinnaker that much.

BUT if a crew were available we would opt for a Parasailor.

Cheers Frank

[barnakiel]

A spinnaker is hoisted between the bows I think. I watch parasailors often during ARC start and cannot see how they are 'more stable', 'more powerful' or more anything. Maybe they are more expensive but that's just a guess.

I would stick with a plain spinnaker for runs and a furling kite for broad reaches. Simple, inexpensive and efficient.

b.

[hoppy]

There seems to be plenty of multis on youtube using the parasailor, so you would not be on your own

Antares Yachts & Parasailor - YouTube

Lagoon 400, Speedboat with Parasailor - YouTube

This sales video talks about how it works and i'm sure both monos and multis benefit equally

Parasailor ISTEC The Downwind Company Home of the Parasailor and the Parasail Spinnaker, Asymmetric Spinnaker, Gennaker, Blister, Downwind Sail, Cruising Chute, Cruising Kite - YouTube

[hoppy]

Parasailor - Tonga to Fiji on Luna - YouTube

[careka]

We like our a lot.

Parasailor Careka Lagoon 380 2012 - YouTube

[Ozbullwinkle]

Coming from a monohull racing background as I do the strange thing about these parasailors is that they are always run without a mainsail which is not what I am accustomed to.

[careka]

The main up will give even more power. but it will also need more attention.
And for a smal crew, i like to keep it simple, we are crusing not racing.
but if you want to, there is no problem going with the main also.

[Hammer]

+1 for a Parasailor on multihull.

[hoppy]

This German guy soloed the Atlantic on his 39 ft mono using the Parasailer

Near the end of the crossing he mentioned he had a choice of finishing the journey in 3 days with the genoa and main or 4 days with just the parasailor. With the parasailor he said it was more convenient as the boat rolled less. He mentioned that he might use the parasailor when he sleeps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=VPL35Ul0Ses

[jram]

We have sailed 14000 miles with ours and we like it a lot. We can handle it easily between the 2 of us. I call it the lazy cruisers sail since it needs little attention when flown without the ain.

[Ozbullwinkle]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

A spinnaker is hoisted between the bows I think. I watch parasailors often during ARC start and cannot see how they are 'more stable', 'more powerful' or more anything. Maybe they are more expensive but that's just a guess.

I would stick with a plain spinnaker for runs and a furling kite for broad reaches. Simple, inexpensive and efficient.

b.

I know that Parasailors are more expensive than symmetrical spinnakers but wouldn't you think that a parasailor would be less expensive than what you are suggesting being the combined cost of a symmetrical spinnaker + a furling kite (gennaker) with the added expensive of furling gear probably something like the Facnor continuous line furler?

I am not being critical of your comment but as I mentioned earlier I am going down the same path for a FP Eleuthera 60.

[careka]

we use the genakker more now as a code zero,, and if i did get the parasailor before i got the genakker, then i would not spent money on the genakker at all.

[Ozbullwinkle]

Hi Careka

Have you been able to confirm through your experience in using the Parasailor the claim on the Parasailor website that this sail works for AWA between 70 & 180 degrees?