New Sail Hitting Backstay

[kiteflyer]

I decided to replace my original 1991 Hunter 28 main sail with a new Doyle. The different shape of the sail means that the roach is now overlapping my backstay by about 12". I think that every time I tack, the sail will slap against the backstay, which would damage the sail pretty quickly and also put stress on the backstay. I'm thinking of asking them to reduce the overall height of the sail by maybe 18" which would give me clearance for the backstay and keep the overall shape of the roach intact (rather than having them cut out fabric from the roach). I know I'd give up some height, but I'm looking for any advice. Thoughts?

 

[Chief RA]

Tell the sail loft your problem and since they are the experts, let them tell you how they will fix it. Thats a major screw up! Chief

 

[richk]

I agree with Chief. The loft should know better.

 

[Rick D]

My Experience

I decided to replace my original 1991 Hunter 28 main sail with a new Doyle. The different shape of the sail means that the roach is now overlapping my backstay by about 12". I think that every time I tack, the sail will slap against the backstay, which would damage the sail pretty quickly and also put stress on the backstay. I'm thinking of asking them to reduce the overall height of the sail by maybe 18" which would give me clearance for the backstay and keep the overall shape of the roach intact (rather than having them cut out fabric from the roach). I know I'd give up some height, but I'm looking for any advice. Thoughts?

I once had a pretty high-performing main built for an O'Day 27 which had about six inches of overlap. However, unless you were powering into the wind on your nose, it wasn't a problem in the two years I had it. Your's sounds wrong, and I would call them out to check it and devise a solution. Personally, I'd have them recut it and redo the batten pockets too unless they are full.

 

[Jackdaw]

Depends, probably an honest mistake.

Like all things, bigger is better. For racing, the max size that a mainsail can be (without penalty) is what is call 'IMS-MAX', which measure the width of the sail at 5 points along its height. The max measurements are a function of the E or foot length.

On many boats, a IMS-MAX sail will overlap the backstay. Many figure it is worth it for the extra free performance. Many will add a backstay flicker on the mast head to hold a slack backstay away from the sail, like on our First 260 below. Its made of an old batten. When the breeze is on, we don't touch the backstay, leave it on hard and let the sail bend around that backstay during a tack. There is really no wear on either the sail or the stay. Over the 5 expected year life of that sail for sure none.

Check your sizing form and see what size or roach you asked for.

If you DO have it re-cut, keep the height and lose the roach.

 

[kiteflyer]

I was looking at the backstay flicker as a possible solution. My original sail didn't really have any roach, so it cleared with no problem. My Doyle rep has been great to work with - he's taking me out this weekend on my boat to diagnose...