Leech flutter

Jul 19, 2015
5
Hunter 356 Portland, Oregon
I am new to Hunters (Purchased last year). When we are close hauled to windward, the leech of the main sail has a flutter enough to make the mast pulse. I have tried to make adjustments to the sheet, outhaul and the line running up the leach of the sail to tighten it up. Any other suggestions on how to trim it to where it does not flutter when tacking to windward?
 
Jul 19, 2015
5
Hunter 356 Portland, Oregon
I guess I should say that the Hunter we sail is a 2003 - 356 with in mast roller furling... :)
 
Sep 23, 2009
1,475
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
There should be a leach line a little way over the clew. Pulling it tight should take the flutter out.
 
Apr 21, 2014
185
Hunter 356 Middle River, MD
I am new to Hunters (Purchased last year). When we are close hauled to windward, the leech of the main sail has a flutter enough to make the mast pulse. I have tried to make adjustments to the sheet, outhaul and the line running up the leach of the sail to tighten it up. Any other suggestions on how to trim it to where it does not flutter when tacking to windward?
Robert,

Got my 2003 356 last year also and can have a slight main sheet flutter on the leech. I just tried lowering my boom a few inches by moving the vang connector on the boom back an inch. Only did it last night after a nice 7+ knot sailing day but can let you know.
Also I know there were some issues on original sails and some were actually fixed by manufacturer but that was long ago. Might be time for a new sail.

Jeff
s/v LegaSea
 
Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Robert,
Are these the original sails?
First try tightening the leach line, then moving the vang.
I have the 2003 H356 which had the leach problem described above. 2003-04 time frame Hunter agreed that UK sales had miss cut a bunch of main sails. UK acknowledged that the Hong Kong group was at fault. They put out a letter of adjustments to be made and we could take it to any UK sail loft to have it fixed. The flutter was so bad that is was shaking the entire arch. The fix worked. I no longer have the letter as it came in an email from Hunter.

If you don't have the original sails - all bets are off. I replaced my sails two years ago with Mack Sails and work great....
 
Apr 21, 2014
185
Hunter 356 Middle River, MD
Leech Flutter Update

Robert,

Got my 2003 356 last year also and can have a slight main sheet flutter on the leech. I just tried lowering my boom a few inches by moving the vang connector on the boom back an inch. Only did it last night after a nice 7+ knot sailing day but can let you know.
Also I know there were some issues on original sails and some were actually fixed by manufacturer but that was long ago. Might be time for a new sail.

Jeff
s/v LegaSea
Well after moving my boom vang back 1 inch, moving the leading screw into the 2nd threaded hole, with the lowered boom the leech had a better shape and took almost all of the leech flutter out of the main sail. Can sail pretty fast closed hauled, 7.5 knots plus with no issues.

Jeff