Any thoughts on foam luff on 130% jib? Are there disadvantages over a long period of time -- we keep sails a long time. Has anyone purchased sails from Scott Sails in Annapolis, and have feedback?
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I've got a foam luff
on my 150 genoa, made by Air Force Sails. I love it. Contrary to popular opinion, I can roll up this sail to just about any size and still get decent cruising performance. Even though you do not have a very efficient or aerodynamic shape with big headsail rolled up to half its original size, you only do that when the wind is howling. When the wind is blowing that hard, any boat is going to move through the water at a good clip. I would recommend a foam luff for any non-racing application. I also had a Scott Main sail on a previous boat, a C&C. At the time I had it made, Scott was making their own sails out of Annapolis or Queenstown, Md. I think they since have become an outlet that sells sails made offshore. I was happy with the Scott main I had then but don't know much about their quality now.
on my 150 genoa, made by Air Force Sails. I love it. Contrary to popular opinion, I can roll up this sail to just about any size and still get decent cruising performance. Even though you do not have a very efficient or aerodynamic shape with big headsail rolled up to half its original size, you only do that when the wind is howling. When the wind is blowing that hard, any boat is going to move through the water at a good clip. I would recommend a foam luff for any non-racing application. I also had a Scott Main sail on a previous boat, a C&C. At the time I had it made, Scott was making their own sails out of Annapolis or Queenstown, Md. I think they since have become an outlet that sells sails made offshore. I was happy with the Scott main I had then but don't know much about their quality now.
Foam luffs are essentially 'obsolete' .....
With modern computer design sail programs the sailmaker can cut the luff hollow (the areas of the luff that the sailmaker slashes away to compensate for headstay sag) in such a way as to not need a foam luff. This special 'luff hollow' design is most appropriate for dacron laminate and other laminated sails .... but still can attain good partly 'rolled' shape with woven dacron. Discuss BOTH methods with your sailmaker, especially if you want this sail to 'reef' as well as 'roll-up'. Its always best to have a sailmaker come to your boat and SAIL so he/she can SEE how your present rigging is working - if you want a 'good' shape to the sail. If you buy 'mailorder' sails be sure to advise the maker of how much forestay/backstay tension (what size diameter wire and what % of tension that you you normally have) so he/she can calculate the proper 'luff hollow' and forestay sag, etc. Otherwise, all you'll get is a 'stock' sail (aka - a triangular white thing thats sometimes raised on top of dockside entertainment centers) that may or may not match 'your normal' rigging tension. A good sailmaker will observe the 'action' of your rigging and will notice how 'precisely' you handle/steer the boat, etc. etc. ... and then base his/her design on those observed characteristics.
With modern computer design sail programs the sailmaker can cut the luff hollow (the areas of the luff that the sailmaker slashes away to compensate for headstay sag) in such a way as to not need a foam luff. This special 'luff hollow' design is most appropriate for dacron laminate and other laminated sails .... but still can attain good partly 'rolled' shape with woven dacron. Discuss BOTH methods with your sailmaker, especially if you want this sail to 'reef' as well as 'roll-up'. Its always best to have a sailmaker come to your boat and SAIL so he/she can SEE how your present rigging is working - if you want a 'good' shape to the sail. If you buy 'mailorder' sails be sure to advise the maker of how much forestay/backstay tension (what size diameter wire and what % of tension that you you normally have) so he/she can calculate the proper 'luff hollow' and forestay sag, etc. Otherwise, all you'll get is a 'stock' sail (aka - a triangular white thing thats sometimes raised on top of dockside entertainment centers) that may or may not match 'your normal' rigging tension. A good sailmaker will observe the 'action' of your rigging and will notice how 'precisely' you handle/steer the boat, etc. etc. ... and then base his/her design on those observed characteristics.
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