question? can your main sail get old and lose its shape ? like it has stretched or .....who knows ......just what.? I have a hard time heading into the wind ,and iit's like my main sail just is not flat so to speak ,it's always kind of concave shaped no matter how you play the wind.
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Rob Rich
Great Question
The answer is a complex one, but I will assume you have already played with your cunningham, boom vang, outhaul, and the main halyard itself. Tweaking all of these can help a tired sail - a lot. However, a really tired sail (like the one on my C-27) will not give optimum performance no matter what you do. The good news is that you have two options. One - buy a new sail (ugh). And Two - find a local, knowledgeable sailmaker and have him/her convert your sail into a full-batten model. This can be done on a C-27 with great results (from what I hear) and also aids in flaking and take down. I assume a 22 is not that different. The battens help with the sagging shape you describe, but I have not actually seen a conversion. Know your sail maker. In Austin, Texas, we have a great guy named John Bartlett who really knows his stuff. He worked on my catamaran's jib after a dismasting. If you have no one near you, I am sure you could ship your sail to him - but I always like to stay local. Unsure of who is the best and most cost effective sailmaker in you area? Call up the local C-22 racing fleet - they will know for sure. In fact, two to three year old racing sails can sometimes be had for a very good price. Research is 1/10 of the fun (if you get a good deal)! Best of Luck! Rob
The answer is a complex one, but I will assume you have already played with your cunningham, boom vang, outhaul, and the main halyard itself. Tweaking all of these can help a tired sail - a lot. However, a really tired sail (like the one on my C-27) will not give optimum performance no matter what you do. The good news is that you have two options. One - buy a new sail (ugh). And Two - find a local, knowledgeable sailmaker and have him/her convert your sail into a full-batten model. This can be done on a C-27 with great results (from what I hear) and also aids in flaking and take down. I assume a 22 is not that different. The battens help with the sagging shape you describe, but I have not actually seen a conversion. Know your sail maker. In Austin, Texas, we have a great guy named John Bartlett who really knows his stuff. He worked on my catamaran's jib after a dismasting. If you have no one near you, I am sure you could ship your sail to him - but I always like to stay local. Unsure of who is the best and most cost effective sailmaker in you area? Call up the local C-22 racing fleet - they will know for sure. In fact, two to three year old racing sails can sometimes be had for a very good price. Research is 1/10 of the fun (if you get a good deal)! Best of Luck! Rob
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david lewis
mainsail blues
I found the mainsail on my C-25 after 5 years of use was all stretched out, I think catalina imports these sails from a low cost source. I also sailed on a friends C30 this summer and his main was all stretched out also. My guess is they go for a lighter weight cloth to save a few bucks and don't add nice options like leech lines.A fully battened main on a 22 is a pricey option. I'd suggest looking for a used main possibly from a different boat that has the same attachments. Search the webb for used sails and you can find lots of them.
I found the mainsail on my C-25 after 5 years of use was all stretched out, I think catalina imports these sails from a low cost source. I also sailed on a friends C30 this summer and his main was all stretched out also. My guess is they go for a lighter weight cloth to save a few bucks and don't add nice options like leech lines.A fully battened main on a 22 is a pricey option. I'd suggest looking for a used main possibly from a different boat that has the same attachments. Search the webb for used sails and you can find lots of them.
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Joe
Sail advice
Blue Gum Mule.... Your sails can definitely get stretched out, worn out, blown out and pooped out. Since you have net access I would suggest you go to one of the many sailmakers websites to learn as much as you can about sails. Good educational sites are North Sails at: http://na.northsails.com/ and Halsey-Lidgard Sails at http://www.halseylidgard.com/ Regarding your main, run the sail up while tied to the dock and see how much ajustment you can actually make; can you change the shape of the sail, can you see its shape changing when you pull the various strings? i.e. When you apply the outhaul the foot of the sail should flatten, etc. If, no matter what you try, the sail is still baggy and the shape appears unchanged it's time to get a new sail. No amount of re-cutting is going to save a sail once the fabric has lost it's stiffness and ability to hold its shape. Now, don't panic at the thought of buying a new sail. NEW Catalina 22 basic mainsails from online suppliers are available for under $400. A fully battened one for under $500. (National Sail Supply at http://members.aol.com/newsails/sails If that is too much dough, buy a used one. Catalina 22 is a very active racing class which means you can find many used sails in good condition. (racers replace their sails after a few seasons.) Try Minney's Surplus at ttp://www.minneysyachtsurplus.com/ (you'll need to know your sail's dimensions) Now, if you find the sail fabric has some stiffness left and you're not ready for the exhiliration of a new, white, stiff airfoil, then by all means take the sail to a local loft and see what they can do. A simple re-cut maybe all you need. Another year may be all you want out of the sail, especially if you plan to sell the boat soon. But hey, Blue gum mule, by simply asking these questions you sound like you are concerned about performance. Let me tell you, there is nothing more exciting than running up a brand new sail and feeling your boat come alive. It's like putting a new engine in your car, exactly, in fact. Good Luck.
Blue Gum Mule.... Your sails can definitely get stretched out, worn out, blown out and pooped out. Since you have net access I would suggest you go to one of the many sailmakers websites to learn as much as you can about sails. Good educational sites are North Sails at: http://na.northsails.com/ and Halsey-Lidgard Sails at http://www.halseylidgard.com/ Regarding your main, run the sail up while tied to the dock and see how much ajustment you can actually make; can you change the shape of the sail, can you see its shape changing when you pull the various strings? i.e. When you apply the outhaul the foot of the sail should flatten, etc. If, no matter what you try, the sail is still baggy and the shape appears unchanged it's time to get a new sail. No amount of re-cutting is going to save a sail once the fabric has lost it's stiffness and ability to hold its shape. Now, don't panic at the thought of buying a new sail. NEW Catalina 22 basic mainsails from online suppliers are available for under $400. A fully battened one for under $500. (National Sail Supply at http://members.aol.com/newsails/sails If that is too much dough, buy a used one. Catalina 22 is a very active racing class which means you can find many used sails in good condition. (racers replace their sails after a few seasons.) Try Minney's Surplus at ttp://www.minneysyachtsurplus.com/ (you'll need to know your sail's dimensions) Now, if you find the sail fabric has some stiffness left and you're not ready for the exhiliration of a new, white, stiff airfoil, then by all means take the sail to a local loft and see what they can do. A simple re-cut maybe all you need. Another year may be all you want out of the sail, especially if you plan to sell the boat soon. But hey, Blue gum mule, by simply asking these questions you sound like you are concerned about performance. Let me tell you, there is nothing more exciting than running up a brand new sail and feeling your boat come alive. It's like putting a new engine in your car, exactly, in fact. Good Luck.
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Rob Rich
Clarification
Quick note - when I mentioned the full batten main for your boat, I meant recycling your current one. My surveyor mentioned that our local sail maker can take a dead main, add battens to it, and turn it into a pretty good sail that will give you serval more years of performance. Hope this helps! Rob
Quick note - when I mentioned the full batten main for your boat, I meant recycling your current one. My surveyor mentioned that our local sail maker can take a dead main, add battens to it, and turn it into a pretty good sail that will give you serval more years of performance. Hope this helps! Rob
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