INFERNO 29 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

Designed by Hakan Sodergren and built by NA Boats, the INFERNO 29 is a performance-oriented racer-cruiser. Its design philosophy emphasizes speed and agility, targeting sailors who value a responsive, weatherly boat for both competitive fleet racing and fast coastal cruising.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 2.75 indicates a tall, high-aspect rig designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and lift.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 3.24 is optimized for high-aspect headsails, providing excellent power-to-drag ratios upwind.
• Sail Area: With 38m² of total upwind sail area, the boat is well-powered for its 8.80m length.
• Performance: The narrow beam and high-aspect rig suggest a boat that excels in close-hauled performance and light-to-moderate air.

Popular Sail Configurations

• Mainsail: Most owners opt for high-modulus materials to support the tall 11.00m luff and maintain shape under high leech tension.
• Headsail: Typical inventories include a range of high-aspect jibs and moderately overlapping genoas to suit the 3.24 I/J ratio.

Key Characteristics

• High P/E ratio delivers superior pointing ability and reduced induced drag.
• Tall I/J ratio allows for versatile, high-aspect headsail trim configurations.
• 8.80m LOA combined with a 2.51m beam creates a slender, low-drag hull profile.
• Large 38m² upwind sail plan ensures competitive performance in light air conditions.

Sailing Considerations

• The generous sail area relative to the beam suggests the boat may be tender; reefing should be considered as the breeze freshens.
• High-aspect rigs require precise backstay and halyard tension to manage draft position effectively.
• Ideally suited for a crew of 3-5 for racing, though manageable for couples when cruising.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the INFERNO 29, we recommend SurgeX membrane sails as the optimal choice for most sailors. SurgeX uses continuous fiber construction where fibers are laid along load paths and embedded in a thin membrane, providing superior shape retention compared to traditional Dacron while being more affordable than premium laminates. The continuous fiber structure means less stretch over time, maintaining the designed sail shape for years.

For racing applications, specify a lightweight SurgeX configuration with minimal base weight to maximize performance. For cruising or coastal sailing, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection. Based on the 2.75 P/E ratio, a load-path oriented membrane layout works best to handle the high vertical loads of the tall mainsail. A typical inventory includes a full-battened mainsail, a 105% furling jib, and an asymmetric spinnaker. With 38m² of sail area, plan to reef around 15 knots to keep the boat on its lines.

Conclusion

The INFERNO 29 is a refined Hakan Sodergren design that rewards precise sail trim and high-quality materials. Explore sail options for INFERNO 29 to maximize your boat's performance and longevity.