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Sailing technologyThis much power is in the boat

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 05.12.2010

Sailing technology: This much power is in the boatPhoto: v. Ahlen
Better crossing: The polar diagram shows how
Designer Marc-Oliver von Ahlen on speed forecasts, the potential of yachts and how ships can be made faster using simple methods

Whether you're a cruising or regatta sailor, nobody wants to be slow. But what can your own or chartered boat really do? The speed forecasts available to shipyards and designers provide the answers.

This data also helps you to optimise your sailing upwind and downwind and to trim correctly. Von Ahlen explains how the data is obtained and how it can be utilised. The designer also explains how simple measures can be taken to speed up and sail five to eight degrees higher upwind without losing speed.

Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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