Cliffside sails
- Thread starter SailingLoto
- Start date
It is difficult to tell from this photo because of the sail cover is interfering with the sail.
Is this a loose footed sail? If so, it is normal for the foot of the sail to curve away from the boom leaving a gap between the sail and the boom. With the canvas in the way, it is impossible to tell if this is within normal parameters.
I will hoist the sail and remove the sailpack to make sure it's not interfering with the loose foot shape. My old sail wasn't showing this shape.
thanks for you helps fellas.
thanks for you helps fellas.
Send some photos from different angles and of the clew and outhaul.
Dropped the sailpack and got a couple of videos and photos of different angles.
Apparently the tack was placed too high in relation to the footer, and it's creating the sagging at the footer.
Also I had to reroute the outhaul, not using the outhaul car to be able to put a bit of tension in the footer.
thoughts?
thank you.
Direct-sails mainsail footer issue port side
Direct-sails.com mainsail footer issue
Apparently the tack was placed too high in relation to the footer, and it's creating the sagging at the footer.
Also I had to reroute the outhaul, not using the outhaul car to be able to put a bit of tension in the footer.
thoughts?
thank you.
Direct-sails mainsail footer issue port side
Direct-sails.com mainsail footer issue
Thanks for the photos.
The biggest issue is the stack pack is interfering with the foot of the sail. It is not allowing the foot to fall naturally below the top of the boom. This causes it to bunch up like you see on your sail. Here's a photo of a loose footed sail, notice at the midpoint the foot is an couple of inches below the top of the boom.
Next, the clew is not being restrained and held closer to the boom. See the photo below. There are different ways of holding the clew down, in this phot it appears there is a heavy duty velcro strap through the clew. Without the strap the clew rises a bit which affects sail shape especially in the lower half where most of the power is developed. The outhaul car is also important as it helps to hold the foot down.
The tack in relation to the boom does look to be too high. There appears to be a fairly large gap in the gooseneck fitting and the shackle raises the tack even higher. I don't know whether this was someone's better idea or if this is normal for Bavarias, or if something in the gooseneck fitting is not adjusted correctly.
Look at the luff and the gap between the luff and the mast. Above the first slug the gap is straight and narrow, the sail is close to the mast. Below the first slug the sail angles away from the mast, the gap gets larger, this seems unusual and may add to some of the bagginess at the foot. Again, I don't know if this is unique to a Bavaria or if something is amiss with the tack and gooseneck.
Finally, I found the video on the differences between a fixed foot and loose foot sail. I didn't watch the whole video, it might contain some useful information. Precision Sails is a pretty big outfit. They supply a lot of sails to the cruising community.
The biggest issue is the stack pack is interfering with the foot of the sail. It is not allowing the foot to fall naturally below the top of the boom. This causes it to bunch up like you see on your sail. Here's a photo of a loose footed sail, notice at the midpoint the foot is an couple of inches below the top of the boom.
Next, the clew is not being restrained and held closer to the boom. See the photo below. There are different ways of holding the clew down, in this phot it appears there is a heavy duty velcro strap through the clew. Without the strap the clew rises a bit which affects sail shape especially in the lower half where most of the power is developed. The outhaul car is also important as it helps to hold the foot down.
The tack in relation to the boom does look to be too high. There appears to be a fairly large gap in the gooseneck fitting and the shackle raises the tack even higher. I don't know whether this was someone's better idea or if this is normal for Bavarias, or if something in the gooseneck fitting is not adjusted correctly.
Look at the luff and the gap between the luff and the mast. Above the first slug the gap is straight and narrow, the sail is close to the mast. Below the first slug the sail angles away from the mast, the gap gets larger, this seems unusual and may add to some of the bagginess at the foot. Again, I don't know if this is unique to a Bavaria or if something is amiss with the tack and gooseneck.
Finally, I found the video on the differences between a fixed foot and loose foot sail. I didn't watch the whole video, it might contain some useful information. Precision Sails is a pretty big outfit. They supply a lot of sails to the cruising community.
I would lay the new sail on the ground over the old sail.
That will give you an indication of where they are different.
Then check the new sail against the dimensions that you gave the sail maker.
Either the sail was not made to your specified dimensions or your dimensions were wrong.
I recently had sails made offshore and triple checked MY dimensions.
I was told that once they are input into the computer's cutter I would get exactly the dimensions that I specified.
It was all up to my measurements.
They turned out perfectly.
RE: Also I had to reroute the outhaul, not using the outhaul car to be able to put a bit of tension in the footer.
To me it looks like the foot is too long. Your outhaul is pulled tight without the car and you still seem to have too much draft ( bagginess?) in the foot.
I hope that there is some simple adjustment (topping lift?) that will sort this out.
Gary
That will give you an indication of where they are different.
Then check the new sail against the dimensions that you gave the sail maker.
Either the sail was not made to your specified dimensions or your dimensions were wrong.
I recently had sails made offshore and triple checked MY dimensions.
I was told that once they are input into the computer's cutter I would get exactly the dimensions that I specified.
It was all up to my measurements.
They turned out perfectly.
RE: Also I had to reroute the outhaul, not using the outhaul car to be able to put a bit of tension in the footer.
To me it looks like the foot is too long. Your outhaul is pulled tight without the car and you still seem to have too much draft ( bagginess?) in the foot.
I hope that there is some simple adjustment (topping lift?) that will sort this out.
Gary
Last edited:
The video referenced in reply 29 would not load for me. Sometimes the internet just works that way,
FWIW, the idea of a loose foot main sail was the "new thing" in my little sailing venue about 1984, give or take. While some changes do not ultimately pan out as improvements, I would say that this one has done so.
Keeping slugs on a main foot is fine for someone who just likes a traditional "look" and does not seem controversial for sailing the boat.
Also, IF I were still selling sails - long long ago I was a rep for a sailmaker - I would try to provide what made the paying customer happy! There's seldom any real harm in having excessive slugs, unless they're eating plants in our gardens...
FWIW, the idea of a loose foot main sail was the "new thing" in my little sailing venue about 1984, give or take. While some changes do not ultimately pan out as improvements, I would say that this one has done so.
Keeping slugs on a main foot is fine for someone who just likes a traditional "look" and does not seem controversial for sailing the boat.
Also, IF I were still selling sails - long long ago I was a rep for a sailmaker - I would try to provide what made the paying customer happy! There's seldom any real harm in having excessive slugs, unless they're eating plants in our gardens...
Last edited:
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,454
Ease the topping lift. Let the boom carry the sail alone.
This would allow the boom to drop, stretching out the Leech, giving the sail a better shape. If the leech is cut too long, the end of the boom will sag below the horizontal. It appears that the outhaul is too tight. There is a fold along the foot.
The black line on your mast suggests the bottom location of the mast. Can you lower the mast below that point? If not, check that the head of the sail is at the top of the mast. Is the Luff smooth or with a fold? The grommet (or cringle) above the tack is to allow you to use a Cunningham to increase the tension on the Main Sail luff.
This would allow the boom to drop, stretching out the Leech, giving the sail a better shape. If the leech is cut too long, the end of the boom will sag below the horizontal. It appears that the outhaul is too tight. There is a fold along the foot.
The black line on your mast suggests the bottom location of the mast. Can you lower the mast below that point? If not, check that the head of the sail is at the top of the mast. Is the Luff smooth or with a fold? The grommet (or cringle) above the tack is to allow you to use a Cunningham to increase the tension on the Main Sail luff.
Last edited:
cannon lower the boom below the black line. it's popped rivet. I will try the cunningham. thanks a lot.
The cloth below the orange line you drew is supposed to be there. The foot of a loose footed sail is an arc not a straight line. The middle of the sail should drop below the top of the boom.
What does the Cunningham do if the gooseneck is riveted?
Judging by the stretched folds in the photos, JS is on the right track. It is hard to say for sure, not being there to look at the whole sail, the luff tension, the foot, what is a fold from tension, what is a fold from sitting in the stack pack, how tight is the leach? Do you have a vang, your mid-boom sheeting, all of it.
-Will
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,454
I understand about the boom being fixed. Some are some are not.
Your images are good but I’m not able to see the boom angle clearly. Looks to me that the stern end of your boom is riding a bit high. Suspect the cause is the tight topping lift. It looks taut in the images.
When you are sitting still, no breeze, raise the main. Ease the topping lift and see if the sail forms a right angle triangle holding the boom at near horizontal (level). If so it would suggest that the sail was properly cut as the luff and leach when extended are of proper length.
Regarding your foot, no need to slice off the bottom. It is designed to be a bit full. Like a middle aged guy who likes beer at the pub. It will stretch firm and fold slightly as you draw in the outhaul beating to windward. Mine hangs just to the lee of the boom. When you turn downwind and pickup those lovely trades you’ll ease the outhaul, and the main will fill out forming a beautiful curve.
Your images are good but I’m not able to see the boom angle clearly. Looks to me that the stern end of your boom is riding a bit high. Suspect the cause is the tight topping lift. It looks taut in the images.
When you are sitting still, no breeze, raise the main. Ease the topping lift and see if the sail forms a right angle triangle holding the boom at near horizontal (level). If so it would suggest that the sail was properly cut as the luff and leach when extended are of proper length.
Regarding your foot, no need to slice off the bottom. It is designed to be a bit full. Like a middle aged guy who likes beer at the pub. It will stretch firm and fold slightly as you draw in the outhaul beating to windward. Mine hangs just to the lee of the boom. When you turn downwind and pickup those lovely trades you’ll ease the outhaul, and the main will fill out forming a beautiful curve.