23 Main

[Dan Ulrich]

Does anyone have any information on a sailmaker that has recut their mainsail to solve the "droopy boom" problem that has been discussed ad nauseum in the forums. Or shall I wait to rebend and measure in the spring, and then have it recut? If there is a sailmaker that has already done it, cool. But I fear that it is sail specific, depending on leech stretch etc. Any experience/info is appreciated.

 

[Darrel Richards]

Boom Droop

I had the same problem on my h23. I called Super Sailmakers, of Ft Lauderdale, Fl and they took a look at the possibility of recutting my main.We found that the rope the runs the length of the luff had totally disappeared.Just dried up to powder. So we did the right thing a made a new main sail for the boat. Super Sailmakers did a great job. We put a full batten across the top, one reef point, and open footed. Cost about $800.00. The performance of the boat improved greatly and we won alot of races this last year. Find your self a good sailmaker, have them look at it and make the recommendation.

 

[Scott Davis]

Main for 23

Darrel, Can you pass on the info on the company in FL. Phone number or web address. Thanks!Scott"wsdavis@fmtc.net"

 

[mike]

open footed?

Help me understand the benefits of an open footed main. Seems like you'd lose a lot of low thrust with air escaping underneath. Also I'd think that would translate to less material holding up the boom.

 

[jcherubini]

For Mike about the open boom.

Mike–Yes, the loose-footed main will not be as effective as a full boom-set sail. The primary call for the loose-footed set-up is for in-the-mast furling systems (which I've already condemned for small boats somewhere), and NOT for any gains in performance. People (in this case Hunter martketing) will tell you many other things to justify laziness or ignorance.Also, the sail should not hold up the boom. That's what the topping lift is for. If the boom appears to be hanging on the boom I's say you are in VERY light air. I would more expect the boom to be holding the sail down, which it is going to do on anyone's set-up. Playing with small adjustments to topping-lift tension and leach tension may result in acceptable trim. In any case it is worth tinkering with this stuff for the educative value of it.BTW–I am getting reports of people with VERY old (20 years?) sails on here. How badly misshapen are they in their old age? –anyone?JC

 

[red coles]

Old sail

Hello John: How about a 23 yr old sail. I have a '78 h27, bought 3 yrs ago,and has original sail logo,so I assume it's original. Sail shape? I must admit it's not good. Luff is stretched, and leech flaps. My plan, since the material is good,is to put my sewing machine out under the orange tree and first try to tighten the leech (has no leech line). I am fairly confidant doing this, having done all my own sail repair in the past 30 yrs. I took your advice about lowering the boom 6", had to lower bimini too. Haven't had a chance to test as yet. The Northers have been giving us a fit here in S Fl.I'm hoping the lowered center of effort will reduce some of my weather helm when heeled in gusts.Just recut a full size spinnaker that I found at a garage sale, into a cruising spinnaker. Will get to try it this summer. Anyway, keep smiling, it confuses them. Good luck red