Hyde Sails – Solo Focus
by Hyde Sails 14 Jan 2022 00:53 PST
Testing the Solo V7 Sail © Hyde Sails
Hyde Sails took the decision to put greater resource in the One-Design classes back at the start of 2021, Ben McGrane was brought into the company as a dedicated manager for this sector of the business. Combined with increased resources, with more of lead designer Richard Lovering's time focused on implementing continual development, Hyde Sails have been making significant improvements in a number of classes. One of the key classes has been the Solo where more time than ever has been put into not just the V7 sail but also the covers and accessories.
Here is a run-down of all things Solo from the team at Hyde Sails.
V7 Sail
The sail development on the Solo has been a gradual work in progress over the past 6 years but after the nationals in 2021 a full review of the sail has made resulting in some of the largest changes for a number of years. Through time on the water with a chase boat, Richard worked with Ben to identify key areas of the sail where they would like to make improvements. The initial work on the development of the sail saw a reduction on the depth and the draft brought forward in the sail, this was all with a view of making the sail easier to set and better flow through the base of the sail with the boom further inboard. During 2021 Richard was finding that to get the best performance from the V6 the boom position was always outboard of the quarter making it hard to get the leech profile exactly how he would like, the best set was outboard with a hard leech. The objective with the V7 was to get the boom back on or inside the quarter with a more twisted setup.
Out on the water the V7 was immediately looking a better sail but Ben and Richard identified that through chock changes they were getting an even better leech profile combined with the boom inboard. 'With the usual 10mm chock the mid leech looked firm, we found removing the chock gave us an improved setup with the boom nicely on the quarter and a leech profile that twisted evenly, straight away you could see the mast and sail were doing more of the work as the boat sailed upwind in 12-15 knots'. The outcome of the setting work out on the water was a small luff curve change in the bottom half of the mainsail replicating the bend changes so that it was then possible to use 5-10mm chock and have the setup achieved in testing. The findings with the chock changes also got Ben thinking a lot more about the tuning aspect and optimising the rig across the wind range, more information can be read on their continued work on this on the Hyde Sails website.
Overall the sail is quite different than the V6, the sail is still suited to a wide weight range combined with different masts to suit the sailors weight.
Masts
There was a lot of talk in the Solo class during 2021 surrounding masts and a lot of varying opinions. It seemed a good time to get some facts and so with the help of Selden, Richard carried out bend tests to gauge the differences. The general conclusion was the D+ with a sleeve was over the minimum weight and also as stiff as anyone would want to go, the D+ without a sleeve would be slightly softer F/A but not dissimilar sideways. Most importantly the D+ with no sleeve would be very close to the class minimum weight. The superspar M2 was the softest mast and just over minimum weight.
Interestingly because the Solo rule allows for a reduction in taper F/A but only a small amount sideways the differences F/A were where the most noticeable differences were seen.
There will be cross overs between the sailor weights but combined with the Hyde Sail are current feeling is as follows:
- M2 >78kg
- D+ (No sleeve) 76-88kg
- D+ (Sleeve) 86kg+
Currently Richard plans to start next year with a test D+ without a sleeve and will be out in the Jan-Feb with Ben to run a 2 boat test comparing the sleeved and un-sleeved D+ sections.
Covers & Accessories
In 2021 we have updated all the Solo cover designs.
Top Covers - new designs of both the flat and over boom covers are now available. Made from a breathable polycotton and with templated skirts, the covers are a very nice fit with excellent attention to detail. Also being introduced in 2022 is a new cover material, sourcing directly from the cloth manufacture which is possible by the high volume of covers Hyde Sails produce, we have been able to work with the supplier to create a cloth that is improved in every aspect over our previous material. Find on the Hyde shop here...
Undercover - Also a new design, the undercover made from 100% waterproof nylon is a superb fit and will keep your boat completely protected in transit. The cover incorporates a built in stuff bag so the cover can be stored in a compact way at events or when not in use. Find on the Hyde shop here...
Mast bag - Made from the same breathable fabric as our top covers, the mast bag is a great yet simple way to product your mast in transit. Fast pack up which means your mast arrives clean and ready to go. Find on the Hyde shop here...
Rudder bag - Padded bag designed to be used with the rudder in the up position making it really easy to use when storing the rudder in the boat. Can also be used with the rudder fitted on the back of the boat at events. Find on the Hyde shop here...
Toestraps - As standard our padded toe straps are made to the fit the winder hull attachment positions but we can make straps to specific lengths and design requirements. Find on the Hyde shop here...
For more information on any of the above products, visit the Hyde Sails webshop at www.hydesails.co.uk. Richard and Ben are also readily available to discuss any of the questions you have.