I have read some posts about the Hunter's mainsail rubbing the spreaders, and this being okay, but this seems excesive on my 86 Hunter 23. On a beam reach with the main out 1/2 way, the sail already spills over the spreader, and the side stay creases the sail. On a run the sail looks like it could tear from spilling over both the side stay and the spreader. I have the original sail, and can't determine if I have issues with mast rake, traveller position, lack of a boom vang, or if the sail is just stretched. I do have the outhaul tightened all the way. Any ideas???
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Boom vang solved my problem.
I have only been sailing this size boat for 4 years but the first 2 were just as you discribe and was passed many times on the downwind leg of a race by everyone. The Boom Vang solved both problems.
I have only been sailing this size boat for 4 years but the first 2 were just as you discribe and was passed many times on the downwind leg of a race by everyone. The Boom Vang solved both problems.
Watch out for chafe
Watch out for the spreader tips they may chafe holes in the main. There is a sharp edge where the black tip meets the aluminum spreader arm. I found that we had some small holes in the main from this. We used some dacron sail patches to cover the area of the sail to protect it. You could probably have a sailmaker install some nice patches. Another solution which I haven't done is install some spreader boots. The swept back spreaders are something that we have to live with this type of rig and our down wind performance suffers. Just as Steve said, using the boom vang to keep the main sail off the spreaders is probably best. Buddy Richardson Cowardly Lion, H28
Watch out for the spreader tips they may chafe holes in the main. There is a sharp edge where the black tip meets the aluminum spreader arm. I found that we had some small holes in the main from this. We used some dacron sail patches to cover the area of the sail to protect it. You could probably have a sailmaker install some nice patches. Another solution which I haven't done is install some spreader boots. The swept back spreaders are something that we have to live with this type of rig and our down wind performance suffers. Just as Steve said, using the boom vang to keep the main sail off the spreaders is probably best. Buddy Richardson Cowardly Lion, H28
All good advice
Your main looks old and very baggy. The boom vang will go a long way to solving your problem. Patches and spreader boots will also help, but I think that you are ready more a new main that has some body to it and isn't a limp piece of cloth.
Your main looks old and very baggy. The boom vang will go a long way to solving your problem. Patches and spreader boots will also help, but I think that you are ready more a new main that has some body to it and isn't a limp piece of cloth.
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