Need Help With NEW UK Mainsail fit/shape

[ice breaker]

I placed an order for new UK sails last fall and received them June 1. The jib looks great and has nice shape. The main has had some bad teething issues. The first time we flew the main, it was spirited weather. Upon trying to furl the main, it would not retract as the foot of sail above the clew had popped out of the mast blocking the sail from being retracted. I was forced to release the tension on the halyard in order to get the sail back into the mast slot. The sailmaker/dealer, said that this was common and cutting the unused bolt rope section out would make it work. After the adjustment we took it out again and the same thing happened, now just with less material hanging out. On the third go, it looks like he added additional web material to the clew extending it further up the sail.

On the next outing, we were sailing on the beam and on down wind with the outhaul slightly backed off, in 18 kt apparent, the main looked great and furled perfectly. The next day we were forced to tack. In the pictures I have attached we are in 15kt apparent wind on a port tack. The outhaul was tighter to flatten the sail, but as you can see from the photo not overly tight. In the close up of the clew section there is significant sail deformation. My old Doyle main never looked like this. The sail did furl nicely, but on tack we have an ugly sail.

I need some advice please.

 

[sail sfbay]

Looks like the main sail halyard is slack and needs to tightened.

 

[ice breaker]

That was what I thought, but the halyard is so tight that I am afraid of tearing the sail. It would be worth a re-look. Maybe things are stretching out slowly over a few sails. The pictures were taken on the 4th and last day of sailing.

Thanks

 

[sail sfbay]

Very unlikely a new Dacron sail will stretch. I would request the UK Halsey sail dealer come to the boat to make sure the sail is fit up properly in your mast to mitigate the risk of any sail damge.

 

[jssailem]

With a furling main the boom location and the tack of the main sail is a set point. No Cunningham or way to stretch the main to improve the luff.

My first reaction was that the sail was not fully raised. With the furler your only option it to raise it to the top of the mast. This is ideal for the application of dyneema cored halyards. Minimal stretch after the sail is hoisted.

If it was raised to the top then it appears the luff is too long. Getting a UK rep out to look at the sail makes good sense to me.

 

[sail sfbay]

Jssailem.......is on to so mething......possible stretchy halyard. Inspect and consider replacing.

Suggest lubricating the sail that is inserted into the mast with Sailkote to ease raising it.

 

[jon hansen]

i wonder if the sail is to big. too tall, too wide.

the out haul should be able to flatten that sail easily.
if the halyard is so tight then that implies the shackle is into the sheeve.

just a guess. worth checking.

i like when the sailmaker delivers the sail and shows me how to fit it. then i give him the check.

sorry for being a buzz kill. you do want it right. good luck.

 

[jssailem]

i like when the sailmaker delivers the sail and shows me how to fit it. then i give him the check.

 

[Sanfelice]

UK sails website list a location in Bayfield. I'm sure they could take a look your sail.

 

[ice breaker]

They sold them to me.

 

[Hayden Watson]

You have not shown a photo of the top of the mast. Are you sure that you are getting a full hoist? Any possibility of something jamming up top?

 

[ice breaker]

Just to bring closure, The Selden luff tube in the mast was excessively loose. So after tightening it up and re tensioning the luff and adjusting some of my old sail trimming habits, the sail now looks great at all angles of sail and it furls very easily. I am very happy to have new sails. Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions they were useful.

 

[jon hansen]

sweet