The so-called ‘Guard Rail Bag’ is attached to the upper railing wire at the bow using several sturdy plastic hooks. The bag is selected in size J (from the front edge of the mast to the forestay on deck) minus 100 centimetres and holds the Code Zero in long bays. Due to its great length, the bundle is quite narrow. When tacking and in stronger winds, the bag causes little hindrance in this position, as water flows underneath the bundle.
With the bag in place, the sail is always to windward
If the Code Zero is to be used, the bag can always remain on the chosen side, as the sail is generally set to windward of the genoa wherever possible. Either the bag is to leeward and the sail is set there within the genoa, or it is further to windward, in which case this is also possible.
Before hoisting, the forward end of the sail can simply be folded out of the bag and secured to the furler. The head remains in the bag at the stern, and the top swivel can be connected to the halyard at mast height and hoisted into position there straight away. The clew, or an extension, protrudes from the bag and is attached before hoisting. Elvström’s rail bag is fitted with sewn-in straps on the inside, which allow the sail roll to be compressed. An additional strap and a pad can accommodate the furling system.
How a simple bag for the Code Zero can improve boat speed
As experience has shown, the long bag – when used in combination with pre-set sheets and the furler already fitted in front of the forestay, along with its control line – saves a fair amount of rig-up time and faff. This means the sail can be hoisted more quickly and stowed away just as swiftly. Consequently, the boat sails faster overall.
What’s more, it saves storage space below deck or in the lockers. This means the Rail Bag eliminates the need for a sail bag, or that space can be used for a gennaker and other gear. Downside: The Rail Bag isn’t waterproof in the long run; the Code Zero gets damp and needs to be dried every now and then, and definitely at the end of the season.
The so-called ‘Guard Rail Bag’ is available at Elvström It is available in five lengths (300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 centimetres) and costs the length in centimetres in euros plus VAT; the 300-centimetre model therefore costs 416 euros.
Links on this topic
Book recommendations
Sail and rig trim Ivar Dedekam explains how to trim headsails, spinnakers and gennakers. The book thus complements the Rail Bag precisely where its usefulness begins: the auxiliary sail is ready for use more quickly, but still needs to be properly adjusted whilst on the water. Illustrations and basic trimming rules help readers to understand the effect of the adjustments. (shop.delius-klasing.de)
Perfect sailing As well as sail trim, it also covers sailing with a spinnaker and gennaker. Step-by-step photographs, illustrations and checklists make this book a comprehensive reference work for practical on-board use. The article on the Rail Bag is particularly relevant in terms of how to handle auxiliary sails; the rail bag itself is not the main focus. (shop.delius-klasing.de)
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
