Has anyone purchased a new main for the 29.5? Am considering. Have always felt that the luft is too long and the belly too much. Seem to use the cunningham except in very light air. Any suggestions? We have a couple of local sail lofts. Joan
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Main
Joan; You said that there are a few sail lofts in your area. Check with them as to who will be more than happy to come to your boat and look at your main to see what you have and what yoy may need to have done to your main. A good local loft will always come to your boat and have a look. Mac
Joan; You said that there are a few sail lofts in your area. Check with them as to who will be more than happy to come to your boat and look at your main to see what you have and what yoy may need to have done to your main. A good local loft will always come to your boat and have a look. Mac
UK MIami Special
Don Stagg of UK Sailmakers - Miami (Voice: 305/858-3000, Fax:305/567-2710) sent me an email explaining all the mods he made on a 29.5 for racing. The main was called a "Flathead". Send me you email address and I will forward his email to you. It looked like a high price race only solution but it depends on you budget. I'll attempt to post a pic of the Flathead on a 29.5.
Don Stagg of UK Sailmakers - Miami (Voice: 305/858-3000, Fax:305/567-2710) sent me an email explaining all the mods he made on a 29.5 for racing. The main was called a "Flathead". Send me you email address and I will forward his email to you. It looked like a high price race only solution but it depends on you budget. I'll attempt to post a pic of the Flathead on a 29.5.
Re cut
Joan, what I have found is that few people set their rigs up with enough pre bend in the mast. If the mast section is to straight then your sail will be to full, draft will be too far aft and the boat will not point as high as it should. Try to loosen your lowers and take up more on the uppers and put more bend in the mast. If this doesn't work to flatten the sail enough you can have the luff re cut of your present sail for around $200.00 far less then the cost of a new sail. Sincerely, Butch Berchem
Joan, what I have found is that few people set their rigs up with enough pre bend in the mast. If the mast section is to straight then your sail will be to full, draft will be too far aft and the boat will not point as high as it should. Try to loosen your lowers and take up more on the uppers and put more bend in the mast. If this doesn't work to flatten the sail enough you can have the luff re cut of your present sail for around $200.00 far less then the cost of a new sail. Sincerely, Butch Berchem
Take Pictures
The North loft in Seattle can take a picture of the sail and, with their computer program, determine how inaccurate the same might be. I believe they like a digital picture. While it's true that a loft person can come out to your boat it does take time on their part. Suggest first taking a picture looking up the sail trying to get as much in as possible. Oh, they also like draft stripes in the picture so if your sail don't have these then this may not be the best solution - talk to them about it. Also, they can 'get an idea' of the shape by stretching the sail out in the loft but this isn't as good as a visit to the boat or a picture. Your use if the cunningham is good. Can you get a full hoist with the main halyard? It's possible the tapered part of the halyard will make it difficult to get a full hoist as it can jamb into the mast exit hole. If this is the case there is probably chafe on the line.
The North loft in Seattle can take a picture of the sail and, with their computer program, determine how inaccurate the same might be. I believe they like a digital picture. While it's true that a loft person can come out to your boat it does take time on their part. Suggest first taking a picture looking up the sail trying to get as much in as possible. Oh, they also like draft stripes in the picture so if your sail don't have these then this may not be the best solution - talk to them about it. Also, they can 'get an idea' of the shape by stretching the sail out in the loft but this isn't as good as a visit to the boat or a picture. Your use if the cunningham is good. Can you get a full hoist with the main halyard? It's possible the tapered part of the halyard will make it difficult to get a full hoist as it can jamb into the mast exit hole. If this is the case there is probably chafe on the line.
Yo Andy Falls!
Don Stagg is an authoritative source on this and other subjects. Please send me your info at bodonovan@vagazett.com. Thanks
Don Stagg is an authoritative source on this and other subjects. Please send me your info at bodonovan@vagazett.com. Thanks
Okay Bill (& others)
YOu've got to play fair Bill-Your email address won't work and you're not listed in the directory. Send me the right stuff and I will forward Don's full letter to you. I was able to reduce and place the picture on HOW. Take a look. If Don gets any work out of this, he should pay me a commission (i.e. recut my sails for 1/2 price-hint hint ha ha) Excerpt from Don's article: "The design of the main incorporates a loose foot. This allows us to carry the draft to the very bottom of the sail. With this set up you adjust the outhaul as much as you would play the jib lead in variable conditions"
YOu've got to play fair Bill-Your email address won't work and you're not listed in the directory. Send me the right stuff and I will forward Don's full letter to you. I was able to reduce and place the picture on HOW. Take a look. If Don gets any work out of this, he should pay me a commission (i.e. recut my sails for 1/2 price-hint hint ha ha) Excerpt from Don's article: "The design of the main incorporates a loose foot. This allows us to carry the draft to the very bottom of the sail. With this set up you adjust the outhaul as much as you would play the jib lead in variable conditions"
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