The project involving the largest regatta sailboat in Slovenia – the Maxi Jena – has reached a new development phase. Emerging from an innovative concept, the project enables numerous development upgrades. This year, the sailboat was equipped with new side stays and rudder weight and many minor enhancements of the deck equipment and hydraulics.

 

The most significant novelty on the Maxi Jena is the new sails, which are of top quality. They were produced by the world’s number one sail manufacturer, North Sails (link to http://www.northsails.com). They are characterised by the exclusive 3DL patent, which enables making a sail from a single piece of fabric.  Thanks to the sophisticated technological procedure, the curves and shapes of sails are determined during the production and fibre composition phase. It is therefore unnecessary to produce sails from several smaller elements. As a result, there is no stretching and extension at seams and connections. All of the above provide for optimal sail performance due to improved lift force caused by the wind flow.

 

The new sail, bearing only the logo of the Istrabenz Holding Company, was already tested by the Maxi Jena crew at the Milje-Portorož-Milje Friendship Regatta this June, steered by skipper Mitja Kosmina.  The upgrades have met the expectations in full.

 

In addition to the new sails, the Jena was fitted with new side stays made of light PBO fibres, which replaced the heavy steel cables. These too are state-of-the-art, lighter, resistant to wear and tear, and do not stretch under pressure in extreme winds. All this enables an advanced dimension to the raising of the sails. This novelty significantly contributed to a lighter mast and greater stability owing to less sideways tilt. 

 

Because of the enhancements mentioned above, the lead weight on the rudder needed to be rebuilt, since the weight and forces on the sailboat had been altered.

 

All of the improvements will help make the Maxi Jena a faster and more stable sailboat, sailing against the wind at a better angle. The Maxi Jena is a racing sailboat which measures up against the world’s top sailboats, and its fundamental mission is to rank as high as possible. For this to happen, technological solutions must constantly be sought to improve the sailboat's capacity and competitiveness.