Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP TOP

Sailboat Load Data - Optimising Hardware and Rigging Design

by Phil Anniss 30 Jul 2020 09:00 PDT
Sailboat Load Data - Optimising Hardware and Rigging Design © Cyclops Marine

Find out just how far we still have to go in terms of understanding yacht mast and rigging loads, and why they are so important to the specification of sailing hardware and rigging systems.

Computer Aided Design

Yacht rigging and hardware design starts with some pretty fancy computer design tools, e.g. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). With all that computer power behind it, the expectation is that we must be approaching some super-optimised designs. In some areas we are, but in many others the colourful computer images hide an uncomfortable truth: these powerful models are only as good as the technical assumptions they are built on.

When you start to dig into these models, some of the core assumptions used are based on rule-of-thumb estimates, which have evolved over the last 30-50 years, rather than scientifically verified fact. Sometimes the computer model is tweaked until it delivers the expected outcome, which conforms to perceived wisdom of what should work!

There are two primary reasons why these assumptions have yet to be validated: a) a lack of available data on the complex dynamic loads at work in the sailing environment and b) the resources required to do the extensive, structured R&D.

Before everyone starts panicking, this is not to say that existing hardware and rigging is badly designed or not fit for purpose - it is. However, it has been designed based on years of trial and error rather than accurate computational design. The upside is that these powerful computer models may yet deliver significant future performance gains, if their core assumptions can be properly tested and validated.

And why is this search for increased performance relevant to everyday sailors?

At upffront.com, "performance" doesn't necessarily mean coming first at the top mark, or maximum foiling speed, it means removing weight where it is not needed whilst making sure the fitting or rigging element is strong enough to do the job.

A fitting which is over-specified will be safe, strong and last a long time, but it adds additional weight which in turn puts unnecessary load into the system. On the other hand, a fitting that is underspecified will be nice and light but it will be working at a higher percentage of its designed break load, which means it will fatigue more quickly and possibly fail. So optimising our hardware and rigging design is about creating lighter and faster YET safer sailing - a win-win for all sailors.

So how do we optimise rigging and deck hardware?

If you take a look across the upffront.com website you will notice that the most common product attribute is Safe Working Load (SWL), because this is THE primary specification criteria for most sailing hardware and rigging. But, do you know what the real load is in your jib sheet or main halyard? If you don't, then how do you make the right hardware choice?

Most of the time people use existing hardware as a guide, e.g. I need a block for a 10mm line, or something with an 8mm pin diameter. But every time you modify your boat, whether you get new, stiffer sails or add that dishwasher down below, you have an impact on the loads on your sailing systems. The only way we can improve hardware specification and optimisation is to have access to REAL load data.

Traditionally, load sensing technology has been expensive and difficult to install/maintain, with questionable data quality, due to calibration problems. Thankfully however, wireless technology, the proliferation of hand-held devices plus simple software interfaces have lead to some interesting innovation in the last few years.

Summary

Upffront.com is all about performance hardware and rigging systems and, to that end, we are passionate about understanding rig loads. In future articles we will go into more detail on some of the great products currently available on our website in our new, dedicated Load Sensing category - Browse the full range of Load Sensors.

If you have any questions about your rig loads or hardware and rigging specification, please do not hesitate to contact us at

Related Articles

Soft shackles are a win-win solution
Upffront look at their use across multiple applications Soft shackles have surely penetrated the mainstream sailing in recent years. They are a popular alternative to traditional metal shackles. Made from single braid Dyneema® soft shackles offer several advantages over their metal counterparts. Posted on 8 Feb 2024
Vakaros Atlas 2 - sailing with ultimate precision
A careful review by the experts at upffront.com Recently upffront.com have introduced the latest Vakaros Atlas 2 sailing instrument to the shop and compared it in a review of other top sailing instruments. Posted on 25 Jan 2024
Sailing instruments from Velocitek/Sailmon/Vakaros
An introduction and comparison from Upffront.com The term 'sailing instrument' is broadly applicable to just about any onboard system with a sensor and a readout. While wired instrument systems are common, in this blog we discuss portable GPS sailing instruments from Velocitek, Sailmon and Vakaros. Posted on 11 Jan 2024
Introducing Ronstan Orbit Winches
QuickTrim feature allows line to be eased without removing handle or line Ronstan have just launched an all new range of Aluminium Self-tailing Orbit Winches in three sizes plus an innovative new QuickTrim feature which allows the line to be eased without removing the handle or the line from the self-tailer. Posted on 7 Jun 2023
Performance Code Zero Furlers
Options from KZ Racefurlers put under the spotlight We are pleased to introduce KZ Racefurlers to the upffront.com website. Racing sailors will need little introduction, as KZ have been gracing the bows of grand prix race boats for almost 30 years. Posted on 28 Jan 2023
How to Choose a Spinlock Deckvest
The main consideration is usage and application Lifejacket pioneers Spinlock are renowned for their sleek, comfortable to wear, high-spec lifejackets. In a previous article, we introduced the full range of Deckvests and took a look at the features and benefits of each. Posted on 16 Sep 2021
Best Sailing Boat Blocks in 2021
Review covers soft attach, snatch looper, open ring, beckets and more In this article we take a quick look at what is new and/or interesting in the sailing block world in 2021. Harken continue to develop soft attach blocks. Morfrac Systems are developing their product line to include becket versions of their blocks. Posted on 7 Sep 2021
Make Waves with nke Marine Electronics
Innovative systems for racing or cruising It's the age of information, and global technological advancements have revolutionised our lives and industries alike. As with many others, the sailing industry has benefitted from the introduction of marine electronics that make it easier. Posted on 23 Nov 2018
Introduction to Core Fibres in Modern Ropes
The majority are polyester or Dyneema There are many core materials used in rope making (e.g. Vectran®, PBO, polypropylene, hemp, nylon etc) but the vast majority of modern ropes are based on a polyester, or increasingly, a Dyneema® core. Get a basic introduction here. Posted on 9 Nov 2018
High Performance, Low Hassle Family Cruising
The radical - but not too radical - 39BEN How do you design a cruising boat that's fast enough to get your competitive juices flowing, but without scaring the family? That's been the challenge for Alex Vrolijk, who has drawn the lines for the radical - but not too radical - 39BEN. Posted on 26 Oct 2018
Zhik 2024 DecemberDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMSwitch One Design