What could be more relaxing? Sail out, hoist the sails, set course and activate the autopilot. It reliably steers the ship towards its destination or wherever else. But if only it weren't for the annoying sail trimming. Changes in wind direction and wind force require work on the winches, and the sails have to be constantly furled, trimmed and readjusted. The hoped-for rest is soon no longer an issue.
In collaboration with the US fittings manufacturer Harken, the French company Jeanneau has now developed a system in which the computer takes over the trimming of the sails. It is being launched on the market under the name Assisted Sail Trim (AST) and will initially be offered exclusively as an option for all models in Jeanneau's 2015 Sun Odyssey range.
And this is how the system works: once set by the skipper, the computer saves the performance data (speed, apparent wind angle, heel) at certain wind speeds and automatically adjusts the sails on request, depending on the course the boat is sailing and which way the wind is blowing. This requires the boat to be equipped with rewind winches from Harken, which not only tighten the sheet electrically but can also furl it.
However, AST can also react to gusts of wind. If the boat heels over a defined angle, the mainsheet is automatically lowered. When the boat sails upright again, the system automatically tightens the sheet again. AST also helps with unfurling and furling the headsail as well as setting and recovering the mainsail. During these tasks, AST also automatically regulates the halyards and sheets. All the sailor has to do is press the corresponding button on the control unit.
Another interesting function of AST is automatic tacking and jibing. All the sailor has to do is turn the wheel. The computer registers the change of course and furls a sheet while the winch on the other side is already tightening again. Of course, this is not entirely new - Bavaria Yachtbau had already presented a similar function in 2012 with the Trim-Control system in collaboration with Lewmar. YACHT presented Bavaria's system in the test of the Vision 46 (issue 11/2012).
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
Michael Good is test editor at YACHT and is primarily responsible for new boats, their presentation and the production of test reports. Michael Good lives and works in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Constance. He has been sailing since childhood and, in addition to his professional activities, has also been an active regatta sailor for many years, currently mainly in the Finn Dinghy and Melges 24 classes. He is also co-owner of a 45 National Cruiser built in 1917. Michael Good has been working for the YACHT editorial team since January 2005 and has tested around 500 yachts, catamarans and dinghies in that time.
