Sail Performance [Hardcover]

C a Marchaj (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2003

Sail Performance, based on C A Marchaj's classic Sailing Theory & Practice, has established itself as the standard work on the subject and is now acclaimed as a milestone in sailing literature. From wind tunnel tests which he has conducted, Tony Marchaj describes how the factors of wind speed, sail area, sail shape, sail setting, the hull, angle of heel, wind gradient and steadiness of the wind all affect sail power, and why certain rigs are superior in power and efficiency to others. Sail Performance is a major work which is acclaimed for its analysis of the factors that contribute to an efficient sailing rig. 'Should be on the bookshelf of every serious amateur and professional sailor' Nautical Magazine

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Should be on the bookshelf of every serious amateur and professional sailor' Nautical Magazine

From the Back Cover

Sail Performance, based on C. A. Marchaj's classic Sailing Theory & Practice, has established itself as the standard work on the subject and is now acclaimed as a milestone in sailing literature.

The performance of any sailing craft largely depends on the power of the available sail--how the rig uses the wind and turns it into a useful driving force. But sail forces are determined by a multitude of factors, including wind speed, sail area, sail shape, sail setting, the hull, angle of heel, wind gradient, and steadiness of the wind.

From wind tunnel tests which he has conducted, Tony Marchaj describes how these factors affect sail power and why certain rigs are superior in power and efficiency to others. The tests also indicate where improvements in efficiency may be made, particularly when freed from the constraints imposed by the arbitrary limitations of the racing rules.

Professor Marchaj compares a number of different types of rig--Bermudan, lateen, sprit, gunter, dipping lug and Polynesian crab claw--and concludes that the Bermudan rig, which dominates the contemporary sailing scene for racing and cruising, is by no means the best available.

This major work makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the factors which contribute to an efficient sailing rig, and is a landmark in modern thinking on the subject.

"There can't be a yacht designer around who doesn't know Marchaj's Sailing Theory and Practice: this is the modern version of a classic."--Yachting World

"By a master of wind tunnel and test tank research . . . a unique publication."--Multihull International

"A classic."--Royal Naval Sailing Association

"Exceptional value . . . should be on the bookshelf of very serious amateur and professional sailor."--Nautical Magazine

"This is one of the most authoritative works around."--Yachting World

Selected Contents

Part 1: Rating Formulae and Speed Performance

Speed and size

Seakindliness and seaworthiness

Speed performance factors

How fast is fast?

The drive towards ultimate speed

Part 2: Aerodynamics of Sails

How and why an aerodynamic force is produced

Distribution of pressure over sails

Effects and measurement of aerodynamic forces

Aerodynamic drag of the sail

Apparent wind structure

Sail camber and sail shape

Sail power of various rigs

The effect of wind gradient

Sail-hull interference

Wing sails

Sail interaction

Centre of effort

Cut, set and defects of sails

Part 3: Steady and Unsteady Wind

The significance of barometric depressions

True wind structure

Local winds

Microbursts

Pumping--a legitimate technique?

Rolling downwind

Katzmary effect --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Adlard Coles; 2nd edition (January 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071366407X
• ISBN-13: 978-0713664072
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A techie new to sails: good overview, August 14, 2005

By 

C. M. Radu "zwischenkieferknochen" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sail Performance : Techniques to Maximize Sail Power (Hardcover)

I read this with a little background in fluid dynamics. It's very readable, convincing, authoritative, does not seem pedantic or too smart for an average interested reader like me. It covers a few sail types, and gives a good feel for their performance in general. For a good balance, a great picture of the late 1990's pre-oympic skiff (49er) need-for-speed formula-I dinghy design and sailing life is Frank Bethwaite's High Performace Sailing. It covers similar topics, is a little less academic, and emphasizes the experiments and stories that led up to the faster-than-the-wind skiffs. I liked both.

3.0 out of 5 stars C. A. Marchaj - Helps create the science of sailing, December 9, 2010

By 

Gay Traveler (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sail Performance (Hardcover)

All you have to do is talk to a few sailors to learn that almost everything we think we know about sailing is based upon personal conviction.

C. A. Marchaj helps to explain everything from the basics to the obscure in a manner that is based upon facts and research not mere talk. I took C. A. Marchaj writings and research so much to heart that I converted my rig Hot Buoys from a Bermuda rig to a crab claw rig with an aft-mast. I had always a problem with the Bermuda rig, and until C. A. Marchaj published this book I could never really put my finger on it in such a concise manner.

Be careful when reading this book. It may make you change your mind about what you believe to be an absolute truth.

Philip Maise
Owner Hot Buoys Trimaran