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Catamaran fundamentals : Downwind Sails: the Parasailor
The Parasailor? It’s a symmetrical spinnaker whose central part forms a paraglider. Particularly efficient and stable in any sudden wind, this is the sail of choice for transatlantic crossings… All hands on deck!
To make the most of your cat downwind, a good headsail is important…
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Published 01/10/2015
By Emmanuel van Deth
Published: nov. / dec. 2015
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Issue #: 144
Published: November / December 2015
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No, the symmetrical spi isn’t dead! Sure, on board our multihulls gennakers sprout from the bowsprits, unfurling and furling in just a few seconds. Close-reaching or with the wind on the beam, they work very well… but not quite so well beyond a broad reach. And this is where the wind usually blows from on our big trips! So the symmetrical spi has lost none of its magic. The Parasailor is simply and evolution: the same sail, but integrating a paraglider wing in its upper section. The idea is to stabilize the sail by creating lift. And it works well on monohulls with their spinnaker poles! On board our multihulls, the bows enable us to position the tack upwind, which is even better. Let’s have a look at how it works! So how does it work? The upper third of the spi is opened by a gigantic kite wing. It’s a three-fold principle. It’s a question of helping the lift of the sail, of forcing it to spread out properly in a horizontal plane, and also to avoid it collapsing annoyingly (waves or other jolts), by evacuating the air, likely too much of which is stuck in the sail. That’s it for the theory, and it seems to be best adapted to “classic” monohulls. Heavier and generally slower downwind, they are frequently being pushed along when they sail. Not so in the case of multihulls, where the airflow over the spinnaker is almost always laminar, due to their higher speeds, and therefore their higher wind angle. One reason why the famous French sailor, Yves Parlier uses downwind sails with cell-construction… but oriented at 90° to the wing of our Parasailor and better adapted to our cruising multihulls. We need to go offshore, with a few miles of clear water to run in. All the crew gets the sail ready. For now it’s securely stowed in the forward cockpit of our test boat, a Lagoon. On each side, two lines are prepared. One acts as a guy, passing through a block fixed at the extremity of the bow. The other is the standard sheet. So that’s responsible for the horizontal trimming, which is to say the angle of the sail in relation to the wind. In practice, the four lines are never in use at the time, as you would see on a big monohull. To windward, the guy is under load, but the sheet remains slack. To leeward, the sheet is the main line for adjustment. The guy is more of a downhaul. The setup is very easy, even for a crew unfamiliar with downwind sails. So here there’s no need for either a pole or a bowsprit. That’s the first advantage of a Parasailor: the relatively minimal amount of hardware required. We put in a reef. The aim of this is to encourage the maximum lift out of the headsail. The sock is quickly hoisted, thanks to a continuous line, slowed slightly by the wing. The spi isn’t completely out yet, but is already beginning to fill. Despite the inevitable weight of the wing and its hangers - compared to a traditional spinnaker, the Parasailor shows an undeniable willingness to fill, and remain filled! This behavior is especially noticeable in a ...
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Yachting World
- Digital Edition
The best downwind sails: Options explained by over 200 experienced sailors
- Toby Hodges
- June 18, 2024
Which downwind sails are the right choice for you? and how do you take the stress out of sail handling on a tradewind passage? Toby Hodges quizzed more than 240 skippers in last year’s ARC to find out
Downwind sailing is any cruising sailor’s dream. The thought of days, or even weeks, of reliable following tradewind pushing you across an ocean with just a warm apparent breeze over the deck seems particularly far-fetched for those of us who have just suffered the wettest winter imaginable.
We all need a reliable downwind setup, whether coastal cruising or passagemaking. But those planning an Atlantic crossing or Pacific crossing will want to give this aspect particular attention, perhaps adding some tweaks or sail wardrobe investments to help ensure that dream adventure is as comfortable as possible for your crew and your yacht.
While there’s certainly no one-fits-all answer, we can learn a lot from those who have done a crossing. Last year we used our annual ARC Gear Survey to focus on the topic of downwind sails and handling and have since analysed the responses to our detailed questionnaire, from over 240 skippers on the ARC and ARC+ rallies.
The reason why there’s no optimum solution for all is multifaceted. Sure, the shape of your hull and keel type can help narrow down options. Unless you have a sportier design, then sailing the downwind rhumbline should equate to least stress and gybes and therefore potential problems. Those with newer hull shapes may want to calculate their polars and work with sailmakers to evaluate which angles and sails best suit their hulls.
How about your rig – is it easy to use a pole? Is there a track to fit one… or two even? Can you square the boom or do you have swept-back spreaders? Do you sail short-handed or with plenty of crew to help pull strings and get poles down? The answers can lead to yet more considerations, including chafe points, how to avoid rolling, and how to easily depower or reef.
Does your mainsail help and does it fill the slot better when reefed? What’s your best setup for short-handed or at night? What are your backup systems (notably for torn sails or a broken halyard or pole)?
A lot can be answered in advance by considering such questions. The weather, however, cannot. We can only hope for reliable trades and the sort of downwind crossing conditions last year’s ARC crews gratefully experienced.
Photo: Tony Gratton/Niord/WCC
Weighing the options
Spinnakers can be ideal if you have the experience and crew to handle them, their numerous associated lines, and can get them down easily. Asymmetric spinnakers or gennakers can make this handling much easier, as they don’t require a pole. They were carried by over 40% of the fleet last year, making these the most popular offwind option in terms of numbers carried (an indication of a modern fleet), but they don’t suit true downwind sailing, meaning extra miles to sail.
Aero-style vented spinnakers, aka parasailers, can seem like the holy grail for many on a downwind crossing as they can be set from the bow or in front of the boat and are capable of reaching and running. However, these are among the costliest sail options/upgrades and there’s a range of different brands now which all claim the optimum design.
That said, perhaps the clearest message from 2023’s ARC skippers was the real love of – or wish for – a parasailer. Over 40 yachts carried one, yet so many more commented that they would have wanted one. This is perhaps a reflection of last year’s consistent tradewind conditions – “The parasailer was perfect for the conditions we had” said the skipper of German Catana 47 Aquila .
Other downwind sail setups include twin headsails, or the specialist Bluewater Runners and TradeWinds, versatile sails which share a single luff.
However, a poled-out genoa, where the headsail is typically flown wing-on-wing/goosewinged with the mainsail, is still considered the most reliable method for downwinding.
Carrying a range of options is ideal, but remember you also need the space to stow them!
Grand Soleil 46LC Flying into the sunset poled-out. Their twin headsails were “a dream”. Photo: Peter Blackadder/Flying/WCC
Pole-out – belt and braces
Around 60 yachts used a poled-out headsail, with over 40 of these skippers still rating it the most reliable method. It uses your heavier-grade white sails, the mainsail can be securely prevented, and both can be easily reefed.
Asante , a 2007-built Oyster 56, has a gennaker aboard but found: “Best setup when windy is two reefs in main, poled-out headsail – easy solution and fast going at 8-10 knots (we covered 205 miles in 24 hours)”. Serenity , a French HR40, said it “allows for a good wind angle in tradewinds and is easy to reef single-handedly if needed”, while German Bavaria 51 Mola adds this setup is “extremely resistant to squalls”.
A poled-out genoa worked best aboard the Moody 54 Dilema , albeit making for a ‘rolly’ experience: “Simple and effective. We used centred staysail as well to reduce roll.” UK-flagged Rustler 42 Carrik also remarked on the rolling but was otherwise in praise: “sailing goosewinged spared us the drama of the spinnaker when winds were 20-plus knots (which was most of the time) and allowed us to sail the rhumbline”.
The Swedish-flagged Hallberg-Rassy 48 MkII Sally was sailed double-handed so kept it straightforward with main and poled-out headsail, sailing wing-on-wing for two weeks. “Our simple sail approach worked well for us, fast enough and easy.”
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Also sailing double-handed was Fisk , a 2007 Oyster 46: “Our poled-out genoa (130%) proved to be a very useful all-round tool, goosewinging with the main when feasible.” They bought these sails new before the ARC but think a light wind sail could have been useful too.
Jeanneau Sunshine 38 Cloud Jumper points out that “goosewinging is less weight on the bow than twin headsails.” They sailed like this for 22 days. And 20-year-old Oyster 53 Jarina had another reason for the ease of this setup: “a foredeck crew with the combined age of 200! Poled-out headsail plus main and preventer equals ease of handling. Stable and controllable.”
Experimenting and enjoying the process should be encouraged. Ipanema developed a motto by doing this: “poled-out genoa if wind greater than 18 knots; gennaker if wind less than 20 knots”. Bestevaer 53ST Aegle thinks having a good solution for various apparent wind angles is key: “goosewing is very effective; a furling spinnaker makes life much easier”.
Twin headsails (one flown free) on Island Packet 380 Niord. Photo: Tor Johnson
Twins – twice as good?
Some bluewater yachts install their own systems as standard, including a pole or twin poles, knowing twin headsails are ideal for tradewind cruising. The Barters on their 20-year old Super Maramu Nunky hail the Amel twin headsail system as “superb: great downwind and they can be furled together in a moment”. Equally, Oyster 54 Ostara says: “the Dolphin twin headsails performed very well – very versatile and fast passagemaking in tradewinds”.
Other skippers might choose to fit or retrofit two forestays or twin luff grooves. “Twin headsails on the same furler worked really well,” is the verdict from Rival 36 Topaz Rival. They sailed like this for 17 days, including at night, so it didn’t affect their watch pattern.
Norwegian Sun Odyssey 44 Moyfrid used genoa and jib poled-out for 15 days, as it’s “easy to adjust, gave us flexibility and safety of handling quickly in squalls”. The same reasoning was given by Discovery 58 Aqualuna, who found twin headsails excellent for double-handing. “It meant we could do three hours on, three hours off”. The summary from Oyster 53 Distraction : “Twin headsails is easy but not fast, asymmetric is fast but not easy.”
The Blackadders’ Grand Soleil 46 Flying has twin headsails, a gennaker and a Code 0, “and trapped the edge of the tradewinds to use them all”. They found “our twin headsails/twin poles worked a dream – easy to fly single-handed and not too rolly.” They also found them easy to adjust and reef, and adaptable to different conditions including winds up to 35° off the quarter.
US-flagged Ovni 450 Reverie running west to the sunset under gennaker. Photo: Tony Martin/Reverie/WCC
Spinnakers – Going deep
Anyone in a hurry, racing or wanting some sport for an active crew would probably choose a spinnaker (or several, space and budget willing). While capable of harnessing those tradewinds most efficiently, a big free-flying sail can be tricky to gybe and get back on deck. A popular ARC solution is to fly a spinnaker during the day and poled-out headsail at night as the latter is easier to manage/reef without affecting the watch system.
Oyster 406 Penny Oyster : “We used the spinnaker during the day (weather permitting) which increased speed and was less rolly. Poled-out jib overnight felt very stable and safe. Easy to manage solo.” It was the same for Grand Soleil 50 Sidney II and 20-year old Sweden Yachts 42 Freedom , the latter promoting: “full main and spinnaker when 15 knots or less (sailed on a dead run for 90% of trip); main and genoa goosewinged if 15 knots or more”.
Symmetrical kites (and parasailers) are often a popular choice for catamarans as they can be set off each bow. Sailing double-handed on their Aussie flagged Outremer 51 Spirit , the McMasters bought a symmetric kite for the crossing to supplement their gennaker, flew it with the mainsail and considered it “easy gybing and conservative for double-handing”. Fellow Outremer Madeleine (a 45) carried Code, A-sails and a symmetric spinnaker and found a “half-reefed main and spinnaker stable and easy”.
Foredeck crew of Estonian Oyster 565 Larimar stow the furled gennaker while under TradeWind. Photo: Magnus Harjak/Larimar/WCC
Asymmetric/Gennaker – working the angles
Despite gennakers being the most popular offwind sail option carried (90 yachts), only around 20 skippers found this to be their most successful sailplan for the crossing, with many frustrated by not having a kite with enough belly to sail the deep downwind angles experienced last year. (While deeper cut asymmetrics are available, many, especially furling types, have a flatter shape and suit reaching more). Grand Soleil 46LC Mandalay reckons their inability to sail deep cost them two days.
Grand Soleil 50 Mr Twister found that flying their gennaker with a double reefed main “allowed for a more downwind course”. This was backed up by the Peckhams on their Hanse 455 Infinity of Yar : “Two reefs in the main allows wind over the top of mainsail so 165-170º TWA is possible”. At night they resorted to the boat’s standard white sails but as this involves a self-tacking jib, they’d want to fit a poled-out genoa or yankee if doing it again.
Handling an A-sail and whether to use a furler or snuffer, also needs due consideration. Najad 490 Adastrina cautions that a “top-down furler with its torsion rope is difficult to stow due to bulk”, while Oyster 47 Aequitas also warns: “Don’t sail too deep as the snuffer jams.”
Code 0s have transformed cruising for many production yachts, particularly those which typically day sail in light winds and want an easily furled fetching or reaching option. However, they are not deemed so useful for tradewind passages as they lack the deeper shape for downwind conditions. “Code 0 was excellent, but could not run deeper than 155°,” confirms new Canadian-flagged X46 Imi Makani .
An exception was perhaps the Oyster 745 Mexican Wave : “We loved both our Elvstrom Code 0, which we flew 10 days and nights, and our Bluewater Runner which was great in light wind. Both on hydraulic furlers – easy.”
Birds-eye view of the deep bellied Bluewater Runner on Hanse 505 Mojito. Photo: David Anning/Mojito/WCC
Specialist sails – Bluewater Runner & TradeWinds
Elvstrom’s Bluewater Runner (BWR) and North Sails’ TradeWind (TW) were purposefully designed for downwind events such as the ARC. They take some of the twin headsail concept, but use lighter fabric and modern furling technology for a versatile multi-use sail.
The twin headsails are joined at the luff and can be flown together on the leeward side to act as a light wind genoa/Code sail equivalent, or peeled apart when running to be flown wing-on-wing, independent of the fixed forestay and headsail. And in principle, they can be easily furled from the cockpit.
Hallberg Rassy 40 Northern Light purchased a BWR for the crossing, used it for 16 days during daylight hours, and found it “very effective when running dead downwind.” The Hanse 505 Mojito agrees: “Worked really well, easy to handle, and doubles up as a Code 0. It gave the best downwind performance and can be managed from the cockpit.” That said, they consider their BWR “too powerful for the rig even in 20 knots of wind – we snapped one halyard and broke the bobstay and bowsprit padeye.”
HR57 Saltair advises it needs lots of halyard tension, while Lagoon 410 Newbee agrees that less than 20 knots wind suits the BWR – they resorted to a triple-reefed main and genoa when things got livelier.
Pinnacle before chafe issues with its TradeWind sail. Photo: Stephanie Stevens/Pinnacle/WCC
North Sails’ latest offerings are popular on modern luxury cruisers. Rock Lobster IV is a new Oyster 565 with a wardrobe of North Sails including a TradeWind and a Helix structural luff gennaker. “Helix is very easy (little point using the G2); TradeWind is great in moderate wind, and poled-out yankee gives good flexibility”. They wisely “adapted sails to crew ability”.
Fellow Oyster Ri-Ra , a 675, also with a new North suit, had “lots of difficulties with TradeWind sails,” however, and blamed a poor setup and “inadequate halyard casting”. Meanwhile Mastegot, a new Oyster 595, found their poled-out jib and main more successful than the TW, and if doing again they’d instead consider twin headsails, “because they can be reefed”.
But there were words of praise from Amel 60 Mrs G who found their TradeWind most reliable with a reefed main, and the Swedish Passad 38 Lulu : “very good lift and speed, much better than wing-on-wing”.
Parasailor – fast, stable and no rolling,” says Contest 50CS Athena. PHoto: Philip Mrosk/Athena/WCC
Parasailers – the vented kite
For want of a generic term ‘parasailers’ are specialist cruising spinnakers with a pressure relief valve. This vented part diffuses gusts while the paraglider-style wing creates lift and provides support to the sail (they don’t require a pole, but can be used with one).
It’s a forgiving, versatile option that can be used for running and reaching, but it’s an expensive investment and one that pays to learn how to handle properly. They work well without needing a mainsail set and are increasingly popular with multihull owners.
How they work and the different types available – Istec’s Parasail and Parasailor, Wingaker and Oxley – is another whole article.
Lagoon 450F Marlove was one of 44 parasailer users last ARC, flying theirs for 13 days and nights: “made our life easy, perfect sail to cross the Atlantic”. Another Lagoon, Rockhopper of London , agreed, calling it a ‘hoist and forget’ sail: “no trimming – the sail coped well with wind shifts”. And Ovni 385 Contigo reports: “Parasail is amazing up to 20 knots and easy to snuff if the wind got too high.”
The Harpers on their two-year-old Jeanneau Yachts 51 Blue Pepper spent a season using their parasailer to prepare: “We practiced all the configurations we used several times as a crew before we got to the Canaries – it paid off. The Parasailor was excellent, stable, including in gusts, and very easy to manage. Twin headsails also worked well and were surprisingly powerful, but Parasailor is faster, easier, with less wear and tear on running rigging.”
Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 Lady Roslyn exhibits all 190m2 of her bright red P16 model Wingaker. Photo: Wingaker
Those with parasailers seemed happier to keep them up at night. The skipper of Lagoon Cosi mentioned how he would sleep in the cockpit for this. However, several others added caution about getting a parasailer down – the wing element can makes snuffing tricky, confirmed by the double-handed crew on Broadblue Rapier 550 Blue Wonder . Hence others promote snuffing parasailers early, including Galatea Of Aune , who tore theirs in a squall.
Of the 44 international skippers who shipped parasailers it’s hard to know exactly which types they had as many just list them as ‘parasailer’, but there were clearly some staunch supporters of both Oxley and Wingaker types. “Oxley is amazing! Very stable, very flexible in terms of wind strengths (gusts and wind direction),” reckon the Dutch crew on their Garcia Exploration 60 Fiore .
The Swiss crew on Moody 54DS Nautilia were equally impressed: “We used it up to gusts until about 24 knots – gives calm downwind sailing with good speed.” The Bösch’s on Jeanneau 51 Wolkenschlosschen said their Levante “worked really well,” using it 90% of the time, adding “take Oxley down below 20 knots TWS and use it in gennaker mode”.
Aussie-flagged Fountaine Pajot 40 Cat’s Pajamas flew their 130m2 Oxley for 16 days and, other than advising to get it down early for squalls, the only thing they’d change is to get a larger version.
Oxley offers the Levante (for up to 20 knots) and the flatter Bora with an inflatable double-layer wing for higher winds, seas and gust damping.
More Oxley fans on the Garcia Exploration 60 Fiore. Photo: Harmen-Jan Geerts/Fiore
“The new Bora was excellent,” reports Oyster 55 Valent, although they still found it difficult to snuff once the wind was over 14 knots.
The main difference the Wingaker has over other parasailers is that it is a single construction including the vent and wing, which it claims produces a more stable performance and is easier to handle and crucially to snuff. The feedback for it was equally praiseworthy, particularly from catamaran owners.
The new Seawind 1600 cat Pure Joy thought it just that: “Wingaker very easy to handle and gybe as well as sail completely downwind.” The American crew on FP Aura 51 Darla J left a strong testament: “2,142 miles without taking the Wingaker down”. And the Kiwi FP Elba 45 Aratui simply stated: “Take a Wingaker” after flying theirs for 90% of the voyage including at night.
More multihull solutions
Multihulls offer great platforms for experimenting with downwind setups. While it’s easy to picture a cat flying along on a flat reach under screecher or A-sail, running downwind brings questions on how best to fill the slots in different wind strengths. Indeed the Canadians on their new Nautitech 44 Open June asked for “more detail on catamaran downwind strategy in the ARC’s downwind seminar”. They found “full main and gennaker faster than Oxley but poor below 150° TWA – Oxley backs wind behind main”. They wished for a better solution for between 18-24 knots wind.
The family dream? Letting the parasailer do the work on June, a Canadian Nautitech 44 Open. Photo: Peter Hunt/June/WCC
Portuguese FP Tanna 47 Portlish found a good combination between gennaker (with furler) and parasailer. “Gennaker was used for 110°-160° AWA and also during the night, parasailer for 160°-180°.” However, they advised it’s not easy without a pole: “We would add a spinnaker pole to be able to use a poled-out genoa for downwind sailing in above 25 knots of wind.”
The 53ft bluewater catamaran Lost Abbey favoured goosewinging either their spinnaker, asymmetrical or screecher with the genoa, but still would have liked a parasailer. Norwegian RCC Majestic 530 Tempus seconded this: “If money were no object I’d buy a parasailer.” Instead, they mostly used “the asymmetric spinnaker on either bow plus one to two reefs in main”.
FP Lucia 40 Wanderlust used a Code 0 and asymmetric the most: “both behaved well downwind and sometimes we flew both side-by-side”. They caution: “big mainsails and booms are a pain downwind!” While the new Excess 15 Vida Loca adds: “as the rig required the mainsail to be flown with the gennaker, our sailing angles in decent wind were 160° AWA”.
Nautitech 46 Open Pinnacle found their most effective sailplan to be: “TradeWind with third reef, next asymmetric with third reef – downwind sails need less mainsail in the less wind,” they warn after they had problems with their snuffer twisting. The sail lashing at the head of the TradeWind also chafed through, tearing the sail as it came down. Which leads us to other sail handling problems…
Sewing sail repairs on the Contest 50CS Athena. Photo: Philip Mrosk/Athena/WCC
Problems & repairs
Having your ideal sailplan is one thing, but what do you do when that breaks? The majority of ARC skippers experienced failures with sails and their handling, mostly with tears they needed to repair, and the overriding advice is to carry plenty of tape and patches, a sewing machine if possible, an extensive sewing kit if not.
“With a good sail repair kit a sail can always be repaired,” the crew on Penny Oyster advise. Grand Soleil 46LC Mandalay suffered a torn clew and luff in their headsail and a torn batten pocket in the main, but report all were “hand stitched or taped and held OK”. After the A-sail “ripped from leech to luff” on the new Oyster 595 JaZoFi, the crew stitched and taped the 12.5m tear, “but only had a 25m roll of 50mm tape”. Frustratingly, the repair only lasted an hour.
Chafe to sheets and halyards is the other biggest issue on long downwind passages. “We had chafing on pole ends caused by metal eyes on sheets,” Jeanneau Sunshine 38 Cloud Jumper warns. “We failed to use plastic balls to prevent damage until too late.”
There were also a large number of halyard failures last year, including two spinnaker halyards and the genoa halyard on the Alloy Yachts Irelanda alone.
Amel 60 Mrs G and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 Moyfrid both snapped gennaker halyards: “the halyard fell down inside the mast – unable to retrieve it while underway,” Moyfrid bemoans. “Carry spare halyards to replace any that chafe or break,” is Hermione III’s advice.
Final thoughts
Having compiled this survey for over 15 years, it’s clear to see that ARC yachts are getting newer and larger and their owners are increasingly happy to spend that bit extra to get the best out of their yachts or find their ideal sailplan.
Today’s easily set and handled Code sails and asymmetrics offer a completely transformative experience during most of the test sails I do on these new boats. But for a tradewind passage I’d choose a specialist downwind sail, budget and space willing, and/or make sure I had a pole and headsail large enough to goosewing effectively.
Know your sails’ limits (in wind and waves) and what you would default to over certain strengths, remembering that tradewinds can be strong for days and nights at a time.
Then get comfortable with your downwind setup so all crew can safely manage and ideally reef it short-handed, identify chafe points in advance, and have a backup plan including spares and repairs.
Your dream crossing should be just that, so take the stress out in advance if you can – and enjoy the ride!
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The single-skin-wing version of the Parasailor for great light wind performance
- Easysnuffer
- Catch AND Lift
The light and easy spinnaker
Developed as a variant of the Parasailor, the Parasail is a great light wind performer. With very little tendency to roll, it is ideal for small crews. Use of the spinnaker pole is possible but not necessary.
No pole required
There are several ways of rigging the Parasail. While it is perfectly fine to use the spinnaker pole just like with a regular spinnaker, it is definitely not necessary to do that. The spreading moment of the wing suffices to conveniently use the Parasail without a pole.
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Every customer is entitled to a complimentary training at our national training center in St. Petersburg, Florida, where we operate a fleet of luxury boats ranging in size from 32 to 50 ft. You simply fly into Tampa airport, receive a complimentary night's stay on one of our boats, followed by a private training session the next day.
At the end of your training session with your private instructor you will be totally confident in your ability to use and enjoy your new Parasail.
Parasailor and Parasail compared
As their names suggest, the Parasailor and the Parasailor are very similar. Read on to learn about the differences of the two downwind sails.
Read more … Parasailor and Parasail compared
"The Parasail stayed set and never collapsed once!"
"I do find the Parasail a fantastic coastal cruising spinnaker: With winds of between 4 knots and 15 knots we had a novice at the helm for the 25 mile downwind leg and he couldn't steer a very straight course, especially when he was handed a beer. His course varied over 40 degrees and for the most part we were sailing by the lee; i.e. Parasail out to port and the wind coming on the port side of the boat. The Parasail stayed set and never collapsed once! Fantastic."
Stuart Anderson, UK
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HOW TO: CATAMARAN PARASAILOR RIGGING, SETUP AND SAILING PERFORMANCE
#CatamaranParasailor #ParasailorSetup #FlyingAParasailor We know there are a lot of people out there who need some instruction flying their parasailor on a catamaran. So, this video is for you! We show you how we have setup our permanent rigging for our parasailor, (clutches and blocks and paddies) along with temporary block and tackle, the sheets and guys, and the optional Barber-Hauler and violin. We probably don’t fly it perfectly, but so far this has worked well for us. (great alternative to a spinnaker or codezero) We love sailing it because it truly is the quietest, smoothest riding sail we can fly. All you hear is the beautiful sound of the ocean lightly caressing your hulls. Plus people love to see us sailing it! If you don’t have one, and are considering it, you can get more info at Parasailor.com. There is also an alternative by Oxley-Sails.com If you have questions or comments, please leave them below. TIMELINE: 0:00 Parasailor Introduction 0:15 Rigging Setup for the Parasailor 9:34 Hoisting the Parasailor on Spinaker Sheet 15:33 Flying the Parasailor 19:30 Parasailor performance LINKS: SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfh_pM48xnJ7dr4jTvt8cw?sub_confirmation=1 BLOG SITE: https://bluedotvoyages.com FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/bluedotvoyages INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bluedotvoyages.sailingpilar SAILING AND CRUISING FUN VIDEOS - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz8Z8h1MloaPq2o05r6wnJqaqyeABUKiu Blue Dot Voyages is a Sailing Adventure Company. On our Leopard48 Sailing Catamaran PILAR, we sail, fish, snorkel, scuba, and we offer travel advice on our blog and vlog. We offer charter sailing experience trips when we can. Watch our videos and live vicariously through us! Master Captain: Stephen Bell First Officer: Dawn Bell
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How To Sail a Catamaran Upwind or Downwind (Complete Guide)
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Catamarans are the perfect backdrop to a relaxing fishing excursion, with sails in the wind as you reel in 50-pound striped bass. But when the gusts pick up and shift directions, you’ll find yourself weathering uncharted territory where reefing and speed are unlike a classic monohull. Sailing a catamaran upwind and downwind requires a skill set much different from the classic one hulled sailing.
To sail a catamaran upwind, maintain high speeds, center the mainsheet, limit angles to 45-60°, lose unnecessary weight, upgrade to Kevlar sails and daggerboards. To sail a catamaran downwind, maintain 160-170°, use asymmetrical spinnakers, reef when winds exceed 15 knots, and jibe.
Downwind gusts can help a catamaran surf down waves, something that is extremely exciting. However, facing those dreaded upwind breezes (especially without daggerboards) can signal the end of a soothing Mediterranian adventure. To learn how to sail a catamaran upwind or downwind, read on!
Table of Contents
How Sailing a Catamaran Is Different Than Monohulls
Multihull vessels like catamarans respond very differently to rough surfs, gusting winds, and shallow waters. If you’re still questioning, “What’s the difference?” here’s your answer.
Compared to classic monohull boats, catamarans are:
- More stable — at sail and when anchored — and less likely to heel or rock from side to side.
- Less responsive to waves and winds (detecting these requires keen observation skills).
- Likely to struggle when sailing into the wind.
- Harder to tack (high speeds are essential to avoid losing momentum)
Traditional yacht enthusiasts quickly learn that sailing a catamaran is smoother, though stiff headwinds and choppy surf are more challenging to overcome. Learning to master upwind and downwind catamaran sailing is essential to get the most out of your trip
If there’s one debate looming over the sailing community, it’s the age-old catamaran versus monohull discussion.
What is the difference b e tween cats and monos?
The UPWIND Catamaran Sailing Guide
Sailing upwind means you’re cruising your catamaran toward the wind (i.e., Traveling east against westward-blowing gusts). This added wind resistance makes it more challenging to reach your destination swiftly and safely, as upwind journeys could come with:
- Relentless sail luffing (fluttering like a bedsheet on a clothesline)
- Slowed speeds and VMG (velocity made good)
- Deep-digging bows in waves
- Bridge deck slamming
Preparing for an upwind journey means taking the path of least resistance and the “long way home.” To survive your next upwind sail unscathed, follow these tips:
Maintain High Speeds
Thirty-knot gusts at-sea, high speeds, and a Leopard 44 might sound like a recipe for disaster. But a catamaran’s multihull design allows for lower capsize risks and less heeling in rougher conditions. It’s far gentler on the vessel to maintain momentum than to build throttle against heavy winds.
Sailing a catamaran upwind requires sail, chart plotter, and daggerboard monitoring. The video below discusses upwind sailing tips as your catamaran’s bow faces 20-knot gusts.
Limit Angles to 45–60°
A straight line is undoubtedly the shortest pathway to your on-shore destination, but sailing your catamaran directly into the wind will land you in the dreaded “no-go zone.” That is, sailing into 15-knot wind gusts directly, draining all forward momentum (unless motoring), and being unable to steer responsively.
The point of sail “sweet spot” for catamarans sailing upwind is between 45 and 60°. This tight range will keep the bow headed in the right direction — toward a particular cove or dock — without cutting throttle (too direct) or over-inflating the sails (too perpendicular).
An onboard flag can help you accurately detect your current point of sail (there are of course electronic aids as well). You should adjust the sails intentionally to ensure the perfect angle:
- Slowly let out your sail.
- Wait for the telltale to begin luffing (flapping in the wind).
- Gently tug it back until the telltale flapping stops.
Upgrade to Kevlar Sails
Catamarans are impressively resistant to heeling where dainty monohulls might capsize. But instead of “giving” with the wind, a catamaran’s classic polyester sails will resist 30+ knot gusts almost entirely. Even the highest-tenacity Dacron sailcloths will develop wear and tear, performance-reducing distortions, or irreversible breakage in heavy winds.
Investing in heavy-duty Kevlar sails can create stiffer and more damage-proof sails that can better handle upwind excursions. Upgraded catamaran sail cloths can help you travel a crisper pathway at a close-hauled 45° without overcompensating at the wheel.
Select a Daggerboard Catamaran
Daggerboards are retractable vertical keels attached to a catamaran’s underbelly. These large, below-deck protrusions can prevent or limit any leeway in exceptionally windy conditions.
Daggerboards vs Centerboards explained!
In other words, daggerboards will keep your catamaran from drifting with the wind or falling off course. The $30,000 higher price tag is undoubtedly off-putting, especially when proper tacking technique might render them useless. But the benefits are substantial:
- Sailing 1-2 knots faster than a standard keeled catamaran
- Traveling 5-7° closer to the no-go zone
- Reaching your upwind destination quicker and with less dramatic tacking
Catamarans with daggerboards installed are more reliable and accurate when traveling upwind. But these built-in keels require proper care to prevent grounding or lurching into a reef. Until your sea voyages bring you upwind, keep your daggerboards raised.
Clean Hulls
Aside from trimming the sails and staying in the close-hauled zone, there’s only so much you can do onboard to better tackle an upwind voyage. But what about beneath the water’s surface? A dirty underside can wreak havoc on your catamaran’s all-around performance — cutting RPM by 1,000, draining fuel efficiency, and slashing your maximum speed by several kts.
Keeping your catamaran hulls free of barnacles, grime, and fouling can make your upwind travels far less treacherous. Revive upwind sailing potential by:
- Spraying the bottom clean with an on-land hose
- Scrubbing the slimy waterline with a soft brush or sponge
- Dislodging caked-on algae with a plastic putty knife
- Applying a fresh coat of antifouling paint
Scrub your catamaran’s underbelly clean at least four times a year, though monthly is preferred for maximum performance. You’ll quickly notice a swifter, cleaner, and smoother journey the next time you take your catamaran up the coast.
Trim the Sails & Center the Mainsheet
“Trimming” the sails is a beginner’s catamaran cruising skill designed to improve speed and better catch the breeze. By changing the angle of the sails and adjusting line tension, you can evade sail luffing and add several knots to your voyage — especially upwind. It takes practice to adapt your sails to the wind speed and direction, so here are the catamaran sail trimming basics:
- Lock the mainsheet and position the boom so that it’s somewhat leeward (further away from the wind gusts).
- As you veer away from the wind, slightly ease the traveler and monitor the telltales.
- Start slowly easing the mainsheet when you’re on a beam or reaching (when the catamaran is at the right angle to the wind).
- Keep an eye on the telltales and watch for differences between leward and windward side (bluffing or flopping).
As you go through the classic trial and error process, don’t forget to keep the mainsheet centered — or as close to the center as possible. Otherwise, turning the winches in 18+ knot winds will require superhuman strength to get back on track, complicating your sail.
Steering clear of the no-go zone (straight into the wind) will keep your catamaran from stalling and your sails from flapping around and potentially increasing wear. But you’ll never arrive at your coordinates if you’re staying on a strict 45° path in one direction. This is where skilled catamaran sailors begin “tacking”, the art of turning your boat with the wind on your bows.
When you tack on a sailboat, you’re forcing the bows into the wind’s direction (no go zone). Tacking redirects the bow to the opposite 45° angle — from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock — and creates a zig-zag formation or subtle 90° turns through the water. Proper tacking requires a skilled crew on larger catamarans but can be a solo pursuit. Here’s how to do this maneuver carefully:
- Start by sailing as close to the close-hauled territory as possible (within 40-45°).
- Choose a heading 90° away as your turn “destination.”
- Alert the crew to the tacking (if applicable).
- Slowly release the loaded jib sheet and begin pulling the lazy sheet inward.
- Steer the catamaran into the turn while maintaining speed (don’t speed up or slow down).
- Allow the sail to backfill to assist with the pivot.
- Release the jib sheet (watch your fingers, as the line releases quickly).
- Tighten the jib sheet on the opposite side and feel the wind start powering the boat.
Tacking is a challenging sailing concept to master. But it’s also the only way to sail upwind efficiently.
Turn On the Motor
A traditional, motor-free catamaran cruise can be soothing if there’s no destination in mind. However, the sails become inefficient against 15-knot winds when your preferred snorkeling spot is several miles directly into the wind. The best way to sail upwind is by turning to your catamaran’s twin diesel engines and hitting the throttle. Even cranking the engine to half-speed can ignite your speed by 1-2 knots and improve the course by up to 20°.
The DOWNWIND Catamaran Sailing Guide
Sailing downwind means you’re cruising in the same direction as the wind’s blowing (i.e., Journeying north alongside north-blowing winds). This extra momentum can generate higher speeds on a run, though the consequences of unpredictable downwind exist. Spinnakers becoming tangled around forestays or spinnaker collapse are looming concerns in high winds.
Downwind sailing is the catamaran sailors’ favorite direction, and thats why most people circumnavigating the globe is travelling with the tradewinds going west!
How to circumnavigate the world
Downwind trips are much more straightforward for novice sailors, but there are techniques for building speed and learning more about your boat. To better handle your next downwind sail like an expert, follow these tips
Use a Screecher or Asymmetrical Spinnakers
Spinnakers are a special type of sail ideal for downwind runs. Unlike a mainsail or jib that luffs in the wind, spinnakers inflate like a balloon and give maximum power at around 90-160° angles. These ultra-lightweight, colorful sailcloths come in two varieties: Asymmetrical and symmetrical. Most yachters attach asymmetrical spinnakers or screechers to their catamarans because they:
- Work well in close-hauls, beams, and broad reaches
- Boost speed by about 2 knots
- Resist damage in 25-knot downwind gusts
- Are quite versatile
The latest spinnaker tends to have more volume when tacked to the windward bow. These new designs allow them to catch more wind and pick up speed at nearly all deep, downwind angles (except directly at your aft).
Sailing a catamaran downwind isn’t quite as simple as easing the sails and cruising. The video below explains the catamaran difference when traversing the sea with the wind at your aft.
Choose the Right Angle
Sailing a catamaran directly downwind sounds like a decent strategy for picking up some momentum. But because catamarans travel faster with the wind at their sails, a less direct point of sail can maximize your velocity made good (VMG).
The proper point of sail for downward cruises is in the broad reach position — ideally between 160 and 170°, though up to 90° can be somewhat effective. This 10-20° off-center angle is slight but can boost your maximum speeds by a few knots.
Reef at 15 Knots
Though catamarans don’t heel or spill wind like monohull ships, the high wind pressure cues are more challenging to detect. Sailing behind 15 or even 20-knot gusts can overpower even the sturdiest sails when you jibe. Reducing your sail surface area and allowing more wind to flow through — reefing — will reduce speed(usually) and increase safety.
Always keep an eye on your anemometer while sailing downwind in windier conditions. Once it’s registering 15-20 knots, here’s what you should do:
- Reduce the mainsail’s pressure by loosening the mainsheet and repositioning the traveler leeward (away from the wind).
- Take the pressure off the boom vang.
- Lower the main halyard and hook reefing point #1 on the proper hook.
- Pull the reefing line manually (or with a winch).
- Put more tension back on the halyard and boom vang.
Time is of the essence while reefing downwind, and one reef might not be enough if you’re sailing into a squall. Be prepared for a second or third reef when winds measure 25 and 30 knots, respectively. If winds exceed 30 knots, remove the jib entirely and use the mainsail as you return to the marina.
These numbers above are general numbers and since cats don’t heel much it is very important to abide by the wind speed reefing table on your boat.
Why do catamarans capsize?
Jibe (Gybe)
Jibing (gybing) is the downwind version of tacking, meaning you’ll be heading off on another zig-zag 90° journey as you sail out of the bay. But unlike tacking, where you forced the ship’s bow toward the wind, now you’ll be guiding the boat’s stern away from the wind. Here’s how to jibe a catamaran safely and quickly:
- Make sure the traveler is in a center position (or close to center).
- Trim the sail to prevent the boom from swinging in mid-jibe.
- Angle the catamaran so you’re traveling a few degrees off from directly downwind.
- Choose a location in the distance that’s 90° from your current location.
- When the mainsheet feels lighter, bring the boom toward the ship’s center.
- Wait for the leech to rise (the sail’s rear edge).
- Release the mainsheet again.
While jibing can help you stay on course and pick up some speed, it comes with some risks. An uncontrolled boom can rapidly swing and crash into a crew member, cause unpredictable heeling, or damage the rig. Make sure all crew members are ready to jibe before beginning the process.
Reduce Speeds
The physics behind sailing is quite complicated and misconceptions about venturing downwind are common. Thanks to choppy waves (water resistance) and sails (lack of wind resistance), it’s impossible to sail downwind at faster speeds than the wind directly at your aft.
Sailing a catamaran upwind or downwind is more complicated than a calm, Caribbean sailing expedition. Prepare for your next windy escapade by:
- Checking the wind speed and direction via your local weather service
- Practicing reefing, tacking, and cruising skills in calmer conditions
- Experimenting with sail trims, headsail positions, and motor use
- Learning more about spinnakers, screechers, and gennakers
Every gust, knot, and reef will help you hone your catamaran sailing talents and better prepare for less predictable weather. Try to build your confidence and perfect your skills before exposing yourself to harsher conditions.
Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!
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WITH OR WITHOUT SPINNAKER POLE
You can use your Parasailor in many different ways. For example, you can use it with or without a spinnaker pole – the choice is yours. Find your favourite set-up.
With spinnaker pole
There are several ways you can rig the Parasail. Using a spinnaker pole – like you do with a regular spinnaker – is just one of many options.
Advantage: A rigid, fixed connection to the ship, which gives the sail additional stability.
Disadvantage: When jibing, someone has to be on the foredeck to operate the heavy and unwieldy spinnaker pole (depending on the size of the yacht). With a spinnaker pole, the initial costs are high.
Without a spinnaker pole
It also works well without a spinnaker pole if two additional sheets are lead over the bow. It is supported by the dynamic-pressure wing of the Parasailor, which stabilises the sail and additionally spreads it centrally like a sail batten.
Advantage: Can be used from +70 degrees through to 180 until -70 degrees. Allows jibing without having to go to the foredeck (additional safety).
Disadvantage: The sail is slightly less stable in high waves than if a tacker or spinnaker pole is used.
With a tacker
You could also attach your Parasailor with the help of a tacker, just like you would with a gennaker.
Advantage: A rigid, fixed connection to the ship, which gives the sail additional stability. Much cheaper and easier to use than a spinnaker pole.
Disadvantage: Someone has to go to the foredeck when jibing.
Use: In high waves on long cruises, e.g. an Atlantic crossing.
On your catamaran, the Parasailor can be handled excellently using 4 ropes. The bow tips of the two hulls serve as ideal attachment points for the kicking straps. This wide positioning of the straps creates even better trimming possibilities than with a monohull.
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Conventional spinnakers are notoriously difficult to handle. Requiring complicated tackle and wildly poles to stabilise them, as well as a well trained crew. The Parasailor provides spinnaker-beating performance, with a unique level of control and stability, whilst being so simple to operate, that even single-handers can fly it with ease. Parasailor is the choice of hundreds of blue water sailors and seen in sailing rallies the world over, however the benefits of this sail over a spinnaker and asymmetrics are so great that more and more weekend sailors are turning to Parasailor.
The Parasailor has two unique features over a conventional spinnaker; The second benefit of the wing is stability. As the wind fills the sail, so too it inflates the wing, turning it effectively into a soft batten. This creates a semi-rigid 'batten' across the widest point of the sail which helps prevent the Parasailor from collapsing and allowing you to sail closer to the wind. Indeed the Parasailor can fly quite happily at up to 60 degrees apparent wind. In a word - Yes! Hoisting and lowering the Parasailor is easy to use with the Easysnuffer (included). The colour-coded sleeves of the Easysnuffer prevents twisting and the Parasailor clews are held securely with snap hooks, fixed in pockets of the elliptically shaped snuffer mouth. The cruising bag (also included), compresses when in storage allowing Parasailor to be stored in surprisingly small spaces. The Parasailor needs just four lines to fly it with, can be controlled entirely from the cockpit and has no need for a pole. If you decide to purchase a Parasailor, we will come to your boat and give you a lesson in how to use the Parasailor, free of charge.
Of course! Each Parasailor is bespoke and made to order, so we can also include a logo or custom artwork on it. The best place for that is on the lower part of the sail (between the sail's foot and wing). Please provide the artwork as vector graphics (examples include; .cdr | .eps | .ai | .pdf). Quotations for custom artwork available upon request. Yes! The Parasailor has been approved by the Rating Office of the Royal Ocean Club for racing under the IRC rule, incurring no increase in IRC rating. A copy of the letter is available on request.
The two immediate effects of the wing are: , increasing the Parasailor's resistance to collapse in shifting winds lifting moment, adding to the overall stability of the Parasailor and reducing load on the bowConsequently, the wing lets you handle your boat more easily because:
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Each Parasailor is a highly durable product. Already its structure lets it cope with hard gusts much better than regular spinnakers. The horizontal opening is a true safety vent, allowing a sudden and strong increase in air pressure to exit the sail in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the multi-ply and double-stiched clews as well as the ...
Catamaran ORC 42 n°20 Location : Saint Raphael, France Year : 2021 675 000, 00 € Nautitech 48 0pen Available Location : cogolin, France Year : 2024 1 128 000, 00 Ex. tax€ LAGOON 450F, 3 cabins Location : Port Grimaud, France Year : 2013 439 000, 00 Inc. tax€ lagoon 42, 4 cabins Location : PORT GRIMAUD, France
This effect is particularly pronounced on catamarans. Easy to use. Because of its simplicity and stability, even inexperienced or short-handed crews can fly the Parasailor with ease and confidence. Launch and dowse the sail in a matter of moments using the exceptional EasySnuffer, which is provided as standard. ... The Parasail is the little ...
Wanting to sail and being able to sail is driven by what sails you have onboard. On OliLuki we have our optional Code 0 lite wind sail which in the beginning...
Cybersteel Inc. 376-293 City Road, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94102
The feedback for it was equally praiseworthy, particularly from catamaran owners. The new Seawind 1600 cat Pure Joy thought it just that: "Wingaker very easy to handle and gybe as well as sail ...
Parasailing is safe for anyone; the weight limit is 200 to 450 lbs. Make sure to check with your catamaran's captain for the proper weight restrictions. Another consideration is the wind condition. You'll need to know the wind speed before starting your parasail. The Parasailor is designed to withstand winds up to 25 knots, but it's ...
Parasail; Easysnuffer; Sailbags . Watch the product video. Watch a customer video. More customer videos. Watch a customer video. More customer videos. Relaxed downwind power. The Parasailor was developed especially for short-handed crews. It is very easy to handle and very well tempered. After all, what you want is a relaxed and drama-free ...
Cybersteel Inc. 376-293 City Road, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94102
"I do find the Parasail a fantastic coastal cruising spinnaker: With winds of between 4 knots and 15 knots we had a novice at the helm for the 25 mile downwind leg and he couldn't steer a very straight course, especially when he was handed a beer. His course varied over 40 degrees and for the most part we were sailing by the lee; i.e. Parasail ...
Blue Dot Voyages is a Sailing Adventure Company. On our Leopard48 Sailing Catamaran PILAR, we sail, fish, snorkel, scuba, and we offer travel advice on our blog and vlog. We offer charter sailing experience trips when we can. Watch our videos and live vicariously through us! Master Captain: Stephen Bell First Officer: Dawn Bell
To sail a catamaran upwind, maintain high speeds, center the mainsheet, limit angles to 45-60°, lose unnecessary weight, upgrade to Kevlar sails and daggerboards. To sail a catamaran downwind, maintain 160-170°, use asymmetrical spinnakers, reef when winds exceed 15 knots, and jibe. Downwind gusts can help a catamaran surf down waves ...
#CatamaranParasailor #ParasailorSetup #FlyingAParasailorWe know there are a lot of people out there who need some instruction flying their parasailor on a ca...
There are several ways you can rig the Parasail. Using a spinnaker pole - like you do with a regular spinnaker - is just one of many options. Advantage: A rigid, fixed connection to the ship, which gives the sail additional stability. ... On your catamaran, the Parasailor can be handled excellently using 4 ropes. The bow tips of the two ...
The Parasailor provides spinnaker-beating performance, with a unique level of control and stability, whilst being so simple to operate, that even single-handers can fly it with ease. Parasailor is the choice of hundreds of blue water sailors and seen in sailing rallies the world over, however the benefits of this sail over a spinnaker and ...
When flying a spinnaker, one of the common problems is planting the bow of the boat. On the Parasailor, the wing provides lift which actually pulls the bow up. The wing also serves as a structural beam to support the sail and hold it open. If the winds die for a moment, the sail does not collapse as quickly as a normal spinnaker.
So, this video is for you! We show you how we have setup our permanent rigging for our parasailor, (clutches, blocks and pad eyes) along with temporary block and tackle, the sheets and guys, and the optional Barber-Hauler and Violin. We probably don't fly it perfectly, but so far this has worked well for us. (great alternative to a spinnaker ...
So, generating any apparent wind to help increase wind speed, is impossible. Therefor a regular cruising cat, much like a monohull, needs a lot of sail area and has to sail deep downwind if it is to achieve a decent speed made good (VMG), typically between 160° and 170°. But multihulls offer a unique wide platform for setting and sheeting ...
Take the sheets through the spinnaker block and into the cockpit. Secure the sheets in the cockpit on the winches / cleats which will handle them during operation. The guys (shown as dashed red and green lines); Secure on the guardrail at the bow, at the same points as the sheets. Run each guy around the pulpit and through separate blocks on ...
Hi there, We have a Saba 50 and a 190m sq Wingaker. Absolutely brilliant sail. Couldn't be happier. Gives fantastic performance and easily our most efficient sail. Wingaker was designed by the same person who designed the Parasailor but the Wingaker is his Version 2 parasail with increased lightwind performance as well as easier deployment and retrieval.
Parasail on a Sun Odyssey 43. The Parasailor and Parasail are patented and trademarked variants of a spinnaker sail for yachts. They were designed for cruising couples and short-handed crews and are considered to be easy to handle and well tempered. [1] These sails make it possible to use one sail as spinnaker and Gennaker.These sails can be used between 70 and 180 degrees to the wind.
This video will give you an idea of how we rigged a Parasailor on a Fountaine Pajot Eleuthera 60 Catamaran. All boats will be slightly different depending on...
We owned an Oxley Bora Parasail for 4 months before flying her for the first time. Why? Well, we were so intimidated by it that we let it sit in the cabin do...