Flying Headsails Q&A

Q - Can a Flying Headsail be set on the Forestay like a standard headsail?

A – NO, to be classed as a Flying Headsail the sail must be set flying and tacked down forward of the forestay.

Q – Can a Flying Headsail be set with a Whisker Pole to Leeward?

A – YES, if the boat is rated for Whisker Pole(s). The rating impact for whisker poles increases if a boat is also rated for Flying Headsails.

Q – Can other Headsails (i.e. Staysails) be set at the same time as a Flying Headsail?

A – YES, additional headsails may be set at the same time as a Flying Headsail. These sails must be no larger than the rated headsail area (HSA) & maximum headsail luff length (HLUmax).

Q – Can a Headsail (Jib Top, Yankee etc) be set forward of the forestay if a boat is not rated for Flying Headsails?

A – YES, a boat does not need to be rated for a Flying Headsail to fly a Headsail forward of the forestay. As long as the sail area is less than the rated headsail area (HSA) & maximum headsail luff length (HLUmax) it is a headsail and may be set flying forward of the forestay up to STL.

Multiple headsails may also be set flying.

Owners declaring a Flying Headsail within the IRC definition will see a change in rating for 2021. Some representative examples are shown below; these are for guidance only as the rating effect will depend upon the rig configuration and many other boat factors.