Have a 2005 Catalina 387 with in mast furling. This past year have had extreme difficulty with the mainsail leech. Can't seem to stop it from severely fluttering under almost any windward conditions. Any suggestions/thoughts would be appreicated.
Mainsail leech
- Thread starter Kestrel001
- Start date
- Status
Kestrel-
Have you eased the topping lift (if you use one) or tightened up on the boom vang (especially if the vang is a solid one and spring loaded) after unfurling the mainsail. If you haven't what may be happening is that the boom's weight isn't being held up by the sail, leaving the leech slack and that would account for it motoring/flutttering.
Also, is the mainsail really at full hoist. Since this is an in-mast furling main, you may have raised it and as it and the main halyard have stretched a bit over time...and you may not have accounted for that and re-tensioned the main halyard.
Another adjustment you might have to make is tensioning the leech line on the sail.
Have you eased the topping lift (if you use one) or tightened up on the boom vang (especially if the vang is a solid one and spring loaded) after unfurling the mainsail. If you haven't what may be happening is that the boom's weight isn't being held up by the sail, leaving the leech slack and that would account for it motoring/flutttering.
Also, is the mainsail really at full hoist. Since this is an in-mast furling main, you may have raised it and as it and the main halyard have stretched a bit over time...and you may not have accounted for that and re-tensioned the main halyard.
Another adjustment you might have to make is tensioning the leech line on the sail.
what about the battens?
Does the sail have any kind of leech support system, such as vertical or moveable battens? You didn't mention adjusting the leech line, did you try that? Otherwise, you might take it to a local sail loft to see if there is a recut solution.
Does the sail have any kind of leech support system, such as vertical or moveable battens? You didn't mention adjusting the leech line, did you try that? Otherwise, you might take it to a local sail loft to see if there is a recut solution.
Thanks for the reply. I think we have the topping lift issue covered but will definitely try to boom vang suggestion. I have had some concerns on the main halyard suggestion also and will be sure to take this up with the boatyard next year (alas we just took her in for winter storage. Again thanks- I really appreciate the input.
Re: what about the battens?
Thanks for your suggestions. We don't have battens and we have tried to adjust the leech line with little success. Will definitely think about the recut suggestion as I am becoming convinced this may have to be the answer. Thanks again.
Thanks for your suggestions. We don't have battens and we have tried to adjust the leech line with little success. Will definitely think about the recut suggestion as I am becoming convinced this may have to be the answer. Thanks again.
In Addition To what Sailingdog said:
I have to also adjust the traveler car, move it up to rid the leech of the flutter and change the angle of attack. But, equally important as sailingdod said, you have to pull up on the halyard, release the topping lift, pull in on the vang, put the outhaul back and let the sail hold up the boom. I have the same set up you do and find that the combination of all of these adjustments effect that fluttering; at least on my rig it does
.
I have to also adjust the traveler car, move it up to rid the leech of the flutter and change the angle of attack. But, equally important as sailingdod said, you have to pull up on the halyard, release the topping lift, pull in on the vang, put the outhaul back and let the sail hold up the boom. I have the same set up you do and find that the combination of all of these adjustments effect that fluttering; at least on my rig it does
.
One last adjustment that might help... does your main sail have a leech line?? If so, snugging that up might help a bit.
A leech line is usually a thin, 1/8" or so, line running along the leech that runs into or through a clam cleat along the leech of the mainsail.
A leech line is usually a thin, 1/8" or so, line running along the leech that runs into or through a clam cleat along the leech of the mainsail.
Re: In Addition To what Sailingdog said:
Thanks- it's especially helpful to hear from someone with the same boat/rig. I'll give it a go with more focus on the vang.I have to also adjust the traveler car, move it up to rid the leech of the flutter and change the angle of attack. But, equally important as sailingdod said, you have to pull up on the halyard, release the topping lift, pull in on the vang, put the outhaul back and let the sail hold up the boom. I have the same set up you do and find that the combination of all of these adjustments effect that fluttering; at least on my rig it does
- Status