#5.1 | Why is it called a Code Zero Sail? | (1 of 2)

#boatlife #sailing #sailingonabudget #cruising #offshoresailing #boatmaintenance #solosailing
In this, the first in a two part episode, I introduce the code zero headsail - a fantastic option for light upwind work and stronger winds off the breeze.
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[@jordanseng2285]

Appreciate the wealth of observations - from the technical to the historical. This is a unique channel: high performance boats for the regular guy sailor.

[@CSMtheMariner]

that’s what I’m aiming for - thanks for the feedback:)

[@bojangles8837]

IMOCA Class allowed to carry 8 sails. Most use setup of course the main then, 2 working jibs. A J2 on structural stay tied to rig ( no halyard) smaller J3 which is removable. That leaves 5 sails for offwind. All in different size, weight and cuts. These are worked out on sail crossover chart like Chris has show, to cover wind angles and strength. Trying to leave as few gaps or holes in your sail chart.

[@The_Gryph]

This was an excellent and much appreciated lesson. Thank you! :)

[@CSMtheMariner]

You're very welcome!

[@lavaspin]

Really interesting hearing about the evolution of the sails. Thanks!

[@CSMtheMariner]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thestorminmymind]

Chris this is so so interesting thanks so much for such a detailed and interesting video

[@CSMtheMariner]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bojangles8837]

Hi Chris, From what I understand the original intent behind the Code Sail was under the IRC rating rule, The definition is about mid-girth. A spinnaker stipulates it must have a half width ‘equal to or greater than 75% of foot length. Further definitions exist for Headsail and Flying Headsail both of which carry their own rating penalty based on sail area. There is no specific definition for a code zero, so to avoid rating as a very large jib, sailmakers instead design these to meet the 75% or less of mid-girth requirement of a spinnaker. This means that as long as the area of the code zero is less than the largest spinnaker, it does not automatically incur a rating hit. It have evolved greatly over the years ( I just ordered a North Helix Code 0)

[@bojangles8837]

I will quote directly from the designer of my sail "Load sharing refers to how much of the luff load is carried by the sail compared to the cable. North Helix code zeros feature a thin torsional cable inside a luff pocket for top-down furling. The cable has to be ‘pre-charged’ to begin furling, which essentially means winding the cable multiple times like an elastic band until the torsional force is enough to initiate the furl at the head. Getting the correct load share is critical to success. Depending on the sail material, style and usage, the load share can vary significantly from 80/20 one way (with the sail taking 80% of the load), to 30/70 the other way. While modern sail constructions may be capable of carrying a higher load share than previously, there is a danger to pushing this too far. Just like an elastic band in a toy aeroplane, a slack cable is liable to bind up on itself when the torsion load reaches a certain point so there is an important balance to be struck. We are always setting it up in such a way that the cable is able to do its job effectively, while also allowing the sail to do its job of projecting the luff”.

[@bojangles8837]

I will look forward to future discussions on trim and use of code sails. Thanks, Mariner patreon watch leader.

[@bojangles8837]

By making a code zero rate as a spinnaker, sailmakers are pushed down a design path where the rule requirements don’t necessarily align with the pure performance goal for the sail. As a result, IRC code zeros have had to carry the burden of unwanted extra material at the mid-girth, giving them that familiar flappy leech. Pointing ability with these sails requires the halyard or tack line to be cranked on hard. “Historically they would have hung the sail off quite a highly loaded cable. You are essentially trying to make the front of your code zero like your forestay. Then the excess cloth that is in that sail in order to meet the rule requirements is hanging off the back. That sail is really nice when you are fully sheeted on and you have control over the leech with a tweaker but you are always balancing the fine line between not stalling the sail and keeping the leech under control. As the luff sags to leeward, the leech stands up proud and returns into the main. So anything you can do get the front of the sail to be closer to the wind, and more projected, means the leech opens up and gives you more forward progression.

[@christophergillingham7599]

Superb content, always informative.

[@CSMtheMariner]

Much appreciated!

[@davidfrancis8899]

Thanks for your explanation of the code zero .. like you to discuss all modern sails in details as per this one

[@benfrevert971]

Very helpful information, thanks. I'm relatively new to sailing and have been baffled by the array of names of all the forward sails. I think there must be some overlap in the names. For example, is a code 0 but one of the group of sails that are called Genoas or another group called gennakers? How do Code D, Screecher, Reacher, Yankee and Drifter fit into the mix? Your comment here (3:55) about the origin of the code naming, "so that nobody else in sailing would know what they were talking about", really hit home.

[@akcarlos]

this is really interesting, excelent description, my latest yacht has a code zero and I'm trying to figure it out.

[@CSMtheMariner]

Glad it helped

[@CheersWarren]

Hi I love the history stuff, followed many of the old whitbread & Volvo races. It might be interesting to compare code sails to what people are putting on ‘performance’ cruising boats (1&multi). All the rage now, Are they really the same as the racing sails…..? ‘Top Down furlers etc , how do you handle short or single handed’? They are not like foul furlers at all…. Cheers Warren

[@kingneptune8937]

Awsome content. Thank you.

[@CSMtheMariner]

My pleasure!

[@weebluegaffer9298]

It is basically a Wykeham-Martin Furling Gear been used for years on trad boats.

[@janecme]

Oh so that's why they're called coded sails!

[@CSMtheMariner]

sailing history = interesting + confusing :)

[@catlanticsail]

Dude, that is so not a code zero. Code zero measures as a spinnaker, which means mid girth is AT LEAST 75% of the foot length. In IRC racing currently there is a new definition of an oversized jib called a “tweener”. Intended for boats that have non overlapping jibs rather than genoas. There is a rating penalty associated with this sail that a Code Zero doesn’t incur (because it’s actually, technically, a spinnaker). What you are flying in this video may have started life as Code Zero and was cut down (perhaps why the back part of the graphic is absent). But it is effectively now a Jib Top, which has a high clew so it is relatively insensitive to lead position when cracked off a bit. Good close reaching sail.

[@jonstivers]

Dude, please tell me what is going on with your main. Why is it reefed in light air? I thought you were going to say that your head sail is 2000 years old.

[@CSMtheMariner]

lol… I’m not racing :) you will see also the boat is not set up for single handing - reefed main sail because no lazy jacks to capture a hastily dropped main in the event of a squall. headsails used for deliveries are all the oldies that otherwise would be in the container ‘ landfill. best to get what you can out of them before they die!