Different size sail acceptable?

shemandr · Apr 28, 2021

So the sail is shorter in height and longer on the foot? You didn't include the luff length of your current sail. The new sail has a lower aspect ratio than your existing sail. So, it will produce more drag and less lift. Think of it causing more heel and less speed. Maybe you like sailing off the wind anyway - in which case it doesn't matter. Or, you want to sail in more wind and are thinking the new sail, with more drive lower, will cause less heel? Maybe - but I'm skeptical. Anyway, the shape of the new sail vs. the old one will determine which will sail better and will trump the size difference.

sail sfbay · Apr 28, 2021

My thoughts on your new jib sail are it will have a very large window of visibility and a lot of sail area aloft, which could affect sailing performance. Suggest trying it with a money back quarantee that if you do not like the way your boat sails with it you can return it for a full refund. Let us know what you decide.

markwbird · Apr 28, 2021

Don't waste your money on the wrong size sail.

jssailem · Apr 29, 2021

Gabrielsail said:
I'm considering this because the SA is close enough,

What do you hope to gain from spending your money in this fashion for a sail? Close Enough.

Sails are the power for your boat. The right sail will improve the performance and make your boat give you joy.

The wrong sail will look like a bed sheet and be more drag (loss of power) then performance.

That said "a sail" is better than no sail on a sail boat. In a pinch you can make almost anything work.

SO.. What do you hope to gain from spending your money in this fashion?

Scott T-Bird · Apr 29, 2021

I'm confused by the dimensions you provide. I & J are dimensions on your boat based on your mast height, etc. Hopefully you are familiar with these dimensions and what they tell you. Sail measurements are a different animal. You need to compare the luff length of the proposed sail to the length of your head stay. I'm assuming your headstay is at least 49' long and you are asking about a sail with a luff of 36'. That is ridiculously short for your boat so it doesn't seem to make any sense. Why would you want a sail only because it might have close to the same sail area? It doesn't make any sense and clearly that sail was made for an entirely different boat. Typically, sailors choose sail sizes to match the wind conditions. If you want a new sail to supplement your existing sail, it would seem that you would want a sail with either a longer or shorter LP dimension or a higher or lower clew. Do yourself a favor and consult a sail maker and describe what you want the sail for.

Stu Jackson · Apr 29, 2021

Scott's right.

Here is some sail info if you don't already know about it to complement his explanation of boat dimensions.

Scott T-Bird · Apr 29, 2021

Perfect illustration above! I will add ... it isn't absolutely critical to have a sail that was made specifically for your boat. You can find used sails that were made for another boat, but only if the dimensions are similar to the sails that you would have built for your boat. It is important to know the sail dimensions and what they will mean for the performance on your boat.

DArcy · Apr 29, 2021

Nope, don't do it. At least not without taking it out for a spin first.

In Stu's illustration you see 3 different sails: black, pink, green. Your original sail will be like the black outline and the new (assuming similar sail area) will be like the green with a much larger LP. Your boat has a very wide shroud base design for inboard sheeting. The new sail likely won't fit close hauled inside the shrouds with such a large LP. Even if it fits, the sheeting angle will be very different than your current sail so make sure the jib car track (if there is one?) runs far enough aft to allow proper sheeting angles.

Different size sail acceptable?

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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