I have been worried that my boltrope had shrunk, and I had lost some effeciency in my main until I saw the recently posted pix from the nationals. Seems no ones main goes to the top of the mast. Why? Granted my sails are'nt circuit racing shape, they do well for club races, but it seems I should not have to worry about this main not going to the top. Any comments on or info. regarding measuring for nationals/ etc.. I know on the SJ 21 we have a specific measuremnet from the top of the mast that we have to abide by, anything in the Nationals rules? David Mosley
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Valid Concern
If your sails are original then I'd say you have a very valid concern about the bolt rope shrinking. Along with "blowing the sail out" the shrinking bolt rope is the next problem area. It doesn't allow the sail to take proper shape. The cure is to install a new one which, if there are reef points, can add up to a few bucks. One reason I can think of for not going with a full hoist is the taper in the main halyard eye splice that holds the shackle. The sheave is designed to take a certain max-size line which is most likely what the main halyard is, or perhaps one size larger. The eye-splice taper could be larger that what the sheave, or the sheave opening, allows. If the halyard rubs against the masthead there will be chafe.
If your sails are original then I'd say you have a very valid concern about the bolt rope shrinking. Along with "blowing the sail out" the shrinking bolt rope is the next problem area. It doesn't allow the sail to take proper shape. The cure is to install a new one which, if there are reef points, can add up to a few bucks. One reason I can think of for not going with a full hoist is the taper in the main halyard eye splice that holds the shackle. The sheave is designed to take a certain max-size line which is most likely what the main halyard is, or perhaps one size larger. The eye-splice taper could be larger that what the sheave, or the sheave opening, allows. If the halyard rubs against the masthead there will be chafe.
Shrunken bolt rope
I know shrunken bolt ropes were fairly common with the H26. I bought a '97 when it was two years old and had that problem. The solution was simple, just cut the stitching that held the bolt rope and sail together at the foot. The bolt rope then retracted a bit into the sail, but not so much as to cause any problems. I know a number of others did the same. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
I know shrunken bolt ropes were fairly common with the H26. I bought a '97 when it was two years old and had that problem. The solution was simple, just cut the stitching that held the bolt rope and sail together at the foot. The bolt rope then retracted a bit into the sail, but not so much as to cause any problems. I know a number of others did the same. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
But these look like new sails
the pix on this site look as though these are new sails on these boats at the nationals, but they still are not hoisted to the top.
the pix on this site look as though these are new sails on these boats at the nationals, but they still are not hoisted to the top.
Maybe the Cookout/Party was Too Good!!!
I didn't make it to the nationals but perhaps the festivities the night before the pictures were taken were too good of a party and all the racers were too exhausted to hoist the mains up, eh? ;-)
I didn't make it to the nationals but perhaps the festivities the night before the pictures were taken were too good of a party and all the racers were too exhausted to hoist the mains up, eh? ;-)
Mainsail
I bought my 1986 H23 in 1988 and the mainsail has never gone to the top of the mast. Looks like this is just the way my sail is cut. I'm about to buy a new main, and I noticed that the sailmakers all list the P dimension as 25.67 ft. I hoisted a tape measure up last Saturday, and I measured 26'-4.25". Every H23 I've ever seen had a significant air gap between the head of the sail and the halyard block.
I bought my 1986 H23 in 1988 and the mainsail has never gone to the top of the mast. Looks like this is just the way my sail is cut. I'm about to buy a new main, and I noticed that the sailmakers all list the P dimension as 25.67 ft. I hoisted a tape measure up last Saturday, and I measured 26'-4.25". Every H23 I've ever seen had a significant air gap between the head of the sail and the halyard block.
I was there
Sorry to be late getting involved with this post. Just noticed it's reference to the Nationals. I've never seen a 23 who's main goes all the way to the top of the mast. Not all the mains are new. In fact I only recall one new main in the Nationals. And, yes, the party was good but we left enough to hoist our sails on Sunday. One solution for you is to make your main loose footed. I had the foot cut off my main in order to lift the boom out of my head space in the cockpit. In the process UK Sailmakers suggested making it loose footed which I love. It's easy to hank on, easier to haul out, and has better shape. I cut off about 10" at the back of the boom, tapering to the mast.
Sorry to be late getting involved with this post. Just noticed it's reference to the Nationals. I've never seen a 23 who's main goes all the way to the top of the mast. Not all the mains are new. In fact I only recall one new main in the Nationals. And, yes, the party was good but we left enough to hoist our sails on Sunday. One solution for you is to make your main loose footed. I had the foot cut off my main in order to lift the boom out of my head space in the cockpit. In the process UK Sailmakers suggested making it loose footed which I love. It's easy to hank on, easier to haul out, and has better shape. I cut off about 10" at the back of the boom, tapering to the mast.
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