Has my bolt rope shrunk?

[Jeff]

I posted this earlier in a couple of other forums and got some great responses, but wanted to add it here and consult a professional. I am a new sailboat owner and a new sailor as well. It seems the bolt rope on the luff of my mainsail has shrunk. The mast hangs at a greater that 90 degree angle off the mast. I was told that I could easily cut the stitching away from the rope and stretch the luff then resew the sail. Now to the questions....Is it actually that easy? Is there reference somewhere for the do-it-yourselfer who likes instructions and pictures? Is it important to have it fixed immediately (I can still sail it, right, just not as effeciently)? How much should I expect to pay to have it done at a loft?Thanks so much for the info.Happy Sailing!Jeff Barger, jcbarger@hotmail.coms/v Quest'78 Catalina 22

 

[Ray Bowles]

Jeff, The one thing we share is that we both are

new to this sport and its steep learning curve. On my 95 H26 the boom also hangs down at a greater angle than 90 degrees. That might make one think that the luff has shrunk or the leech has stretched. In my case I knew that the Hunters used a large roached main sail and I assumed that this increased the leech and could make the boom hang lower. Rather than alter the sail, we used it as is last year. We found that the boom angle, in the end, was perfect and we had good controlable shape to our sail. Also I learned that it would take me at least a full season to learn enough to even think about any change in my sail plan. Now, in my second season, I know I'll need at least one more year to learn enough about the "stock" set-up to even think about modifications. We sailed greater than 1100 nm last year and I'm not a slow learner. There's just a heck of a lot of combinations and conditions.I wish you well in your journey.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Barry]

Bolt Rope

I had that problems. I was able to stretch it using the halyard winch each time I put the sail up. My sailmaker cut the rope near the bottom of the sail, stretched out the sail on the floor and sewed the rope to the sailcloth. He said it will go up easier now.Took him about 15-20 minutes and cost $20.Barry

 

[Mark Ploch]

Bolt Rope

Sound like a shrunk bolt rope. You could cut it your self or spend $100 and have it done correctly. Not a big deal if you have slides but if not you should have loft do the work. Mark