I just started sailing my H22 and have a question or two about the mainsail. The sail is not torn nor does it appear to have been repaired however the H22 logo on it tells me it must be the original sail. Given that I'm a first time sailor I can only guess what the original shape was like. This sail has a considerable sag in it. Is a new mailsail perfectly flat? Does it have any sag built into it? Although it sails and I've only sailed in light winds (5-10max) I did notice that when tacking or when sailing close hauled and when theres a wind shift, the sail starts to flutter and has a tendency to swing the boom to either side. My inexperienced guess is that the sail is not working properly. Is this because of a strecthed sail and would a new one eliminate this? I will factor in my very limited sailing expreience also. Pete
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My New Main...
...is flat. I bought it this year after my sailmaker said my old one was stretched out too much. Best bet? - Ask a reputable sailmaker.
...is flat. I bought it this year after my sailmaker said my old one was stretched out too much. Best bet? - Ask a reputable sailmaker.
Mainsail
Pete, although your main is probably a bit worn, the flutter you describe is caused by improper trim. As the wind, or your course veers, you will need to tighten, or ease the mainsheet ( or alter your course) to keep the main drawing properly and not fluttering. fair winds Dave h23 "Wind Dreamer"
Pete, although your main is probably a bit worn, the flutter you describe is caused by improper trim. As the wind, or your course veers, you will need to tighten, or ease the mainsheet ( or alter your course) to keep the main drawing properly and not fluttering. fair winds Dave h23 "Wind Dreamer"
Sail Care
My 1984 H22 is still sailing with the original sails. I was concerned that they may be reaching the end of life. I recently sent them to Sail Care for cleaning and inspection. They came back from Sail Care looking, feeling, and sailing like new and with a clean bill of health from Sail Care. You may want to check with them about your sails. Cleaning and inspection of the main was $83.70. The Jib cost was $116.10 and worth every cent. I have no association with Sail Care. I am just a happy customer. Their phone number is 800-433-7245.
My 1984 H22 is still sailing with the original sails. I was concerned that they may be reaching the end of life. I recently sent them to Sail Care for cleaning and inspection. They came back from Sail Care looking, feeling, and sailing like new and with a clean bill of health from Sail Care. You may want to check with them about your sails. Cleaning and inspection of the main was $83.70. The Jib cost was $116.10 and worth every cent. I have no association with Sail Care. I am just a happy customer. Their phone number is 800-433-7245.
Bud
A question: Besides cleaning and coating the sail fabric, does SailCare recut or reshape any sails? If not, I would suggest having a sailmaker look at your sails before sending them out for cleaning. All the cleaning in the world will not put the desired shape back into a blown out sail. If the fabric is still crisp, then maybe a recut is called for, otherwise I would seriously concider a new sail.
A question: Besides cleaning and coating the sail fabric, does SailCare recut or reshape any sails? If not, I would suggest having a sailmaker look at your sails before sending them out for cleaning. All the cleaning in the world will not put the desired shape back into a blown out sail. If the fabric is still crisp, then maybe a recut is called for, otherwise I would seriously concider a new sail.
H22 mainsail
Pete, no sail is completely flat. Draft is built in. However, it needs to be fairly flat. Let me ask you a question... Is your topping lift pulled up? That causes a lot of excess draft. Also, with the topping lift lowered, does the boom sag below 90 degrees? A nice mainsail should hold the boom almost at 90 degrees. If the leech is stretched, it will sag, and needs recut or replaced. Tim
Pete, no sail is completely flat. Draft is built in. However, it needs to be fairly flat. Let me ask you a question... Is your topping lift pulled up? That causes a lot of excess draft. Also, with the topping lift lowered, does the boom sag below 90 degrees? A nice mainsail should hold the boom almost at 90 degrees. If the leech is stretched, it will sag, and needs recut or replaced. Tim
SailCare?
I sent my sails to SailCare. They never told me that the main was stretched. But they were happy to do reinforcements and repairs. The sails looked beautiful when they came back, though. But, even though they replaced the resin in the material, if the material is weak (from age, sun,etc.), then they can still blow out - been there, done that! Their process will not strengthen the material for you.
I sent my sails to SailCare. They never told me that the main was stretched. But they were happy to do reinforcements and repairs. The sails looked beautiful when they came back, though. But, even though they replaced the resin in the material, if the material is weak (from age, sun,etc.), then they can still blow out - been there, done that! Their process will not strengthen the material for you.
More on Sail Care question
My understanding from Sail Care is that they evaluate the condition of the sail before they clean and treat it. They told me they would not accept a sail for cleaning and treatment if it did not rate as good or better. I have read other posts on this site of owners who had their sails returned from Sail Care without cleaning because the sails did not evaluate as good or better by Sail Care. I did not ask them for their criteria of good or better. I know that they make sail repairs but I do not know if they will recut a sail. I would suggest that anyone interested in using Sail Care give them a call to get details of what they are capable of.
My understanding from Sail Care is that they evaluate the condition of the sail before they clean and treat it. They told me they would not accept a sail for cleaning and treatment if it did not rate as good or better. I have read other posts on this site of owners who had their sails returned from Sail Care without cleaning because the sails did not evaluate as good or better by Sail Care. I did not ask them for their criteria of good or better. I know that they make sail repairs but I do not know if they will recut a sail. I would suggest that anyone interested in using Sail Care give them a call to get details of what they are capable of.
Thanks all for your advise
Thank you all for your input. I will have somebody that knows about sails check mine out and if it's ok then I will no more excuses for a fluttering sail. Pete
Thank you all for your input. I will have somebody that knows about sails check mine out and if it's ok then I will no more excuses for a fluttering sail. Pete
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