Got my new sails, FINALLY. These photos were taken by a friend of mine during a gusty 18 knot afternoon. (The first picture we had a bunch of Sea Scouts on the boat, crazy kids know the "all hands to windward" command!)
New Sails!!!
- Thread starter Simon Sexton
- Start date
Sailmakers here in the Gulf take forever. Ordered my Genoa in January, and it took until June to get it. My, how they were quick to make that main!
I tore my mainsail last week (I think it is 30-year old original).
My old sail was a traditional foot, partial batten sail.
I am considering a loose foot, full batten, Dacron sail.
I am a casual day sailor, only racing when another boat is coming up to overtake me.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom?
Greg
My old sail was a traditional foot, partial batten sail.
I am considering a loose foot, full batten, Dacron sail.
I am a casual day sailor, only racing when another boat is coming up to overtake me.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom?
Greg
No reason not to go with a loose foot, as long as you have a functioning out haul. The extra shaping ability it provides compared to the bolt rope foot is really nice. Full battens for the whole sail make a nice shape, but they can be a bit bulky and make hoisting the sail a bit more of a pain. A pretty common compromise is a full battens for the top one and partials for the rest.I tore my mainsail last week (I think it is 30-year old original).
My old sail was a traditional foot, partial batten sail.
I am considering a loose foot, full batten, Dacron sail.
I am a casual day sailor, only racing when another boat is coming up to overtake me.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom?
Greg
Definitely loose foot. When the sailmaker helped install my new main a few years ago, it had a bolt rope sewn in on the foot, but he said definitely leave it out and just use the clew in the slot. Gives you more shape downwind when you ease the outhaul.
And I like top 2 full and lower 2 partial battens. All full battens help the sail last longer, but are a pain going up and down without special track and cars.
I highly recommend full battens, Greg, up and down. I have them on my 322 and love them. The sail holds its shape even in light winds. No hassle raising or lowering the sail.
I have no experience with a loose foot, but would question its performance in a close haul.
Thanks @AlastairLC. I had full battens on my old boat (Hunter280). Liked them. But I had a Harken batt car system on the mast. I am worried that I need some sort of track system with a full batten main (Like Tides Marine Sailtrack).
Do you have regular sail slides?
Who made your sail? I am getting quotes from a few national lofts in Chicago, but also looking at SBO, and FX Sails. I buddy of mine got a new jib from FX and he likes it. Their costs are low.
Greg
I got my new main with loose foot. I just recently read the regs for class racing and captured footed is required. It makes no difference to me, but if I were interested in racing, I'd need a second mainsail.
Just something to think about.
-Will (Dragonfly)
Just something to think about.
-Will (Dragonfly)
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,185
BTW, I almost forgot. Great looking boat and nicely trimmed sails. Good to see you out and having fun Simon. Thanks for sharing.
-Will (Dragonfly)
-Will (Dragonfly)
Quote from my sailmaker when I considered a loose footed main: "There is no downside to loose footed"I tore my mainsail last week (I think it is 30-year old original).
My old sail was a traditional foot, partial batten sail.
I am considering a loose foot, full batten, Dacron sail.
I am a casual day sailor, only racing when another boat is coming up to overtake me.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom?
Greg
He was right.
I have regular sail slides, Greg, and Lazy Jacks. No problem.
All my sails are Rolly Taskers. Good price, great sails.
All my sails are Rolly Taskers. Good price, great sails.
I tore my mainsail last week (I think it is 30-year old original).
My old sail was a traditional foot, partial batten sail.
I am considering a loose foot, full batten, Dacron sail.
I am a casual day sailor, only racing when another boat is coming up to overtake me.
Any thoughts or words of wisdom?
Greg
Greg,
As a day sailor, a full-batten sail would be more suitable for you. They last much longer, and are easier to get made with a rig that is fitted with lazy jacks. However, you will find that even with a loose foot, your main will be almost impossible to trim in terms of shape. Even going straight into the wind, some full batten sails maintain their wing shape unless there is enough air to pop the battens into the other opposing position. If you ever do want to race, you'll be at a slight disadvantage. Also, something to take into account is the weight of a full batten main. They're pretty heavy, and if your boat is tender and heels easily, you might want to rethink getting a full batten sail depending on the typical weather you sail in. Lots of pros and cons to look at, but I'm no sailmaker!
Thanks for the comments Simon.Greg,
As a day sailor, a full-batten sail would be more suitable for you. They last much longer, and are easier to get made with a rig that is fitted with lazy jacks. However, you will find that even with a loose foot, your main will be almost impossible to trim in terms of shape. Even going straight into the wind, some full batten sails maintain their wing shape unless there is enough air to pop the battens into the other opposing position. If you ever do want to race, you'll be at a slight disadvantage. Also, something to take into account is the weight of a full batten main. They're pretty heavy, and if your boat is tender and heels easily, you might want to rethink getting a full batten sail depending on the typical weather you sail in. Lots of pros and cons to look at, but I'm no sailmaker!
I realize that I would have less sail trim control with full battens, but I am a bit of a lazy sailor. I am single-handed most of the time and don’t really spend much time fine-tuning the sail.
My O’Day 322 is pretty stable and stiffens up around 15 degrees.
I had full battens on my old boat, and didn’t find them too heavy for a smaller boat that also had a full roach main (B&R rig on a Hunter 280).
Salesman is recommending a sail track system to reduce friction. My H280 has a Harken batt-car system that did make the raising and lowering pretty effortless.
Thanks for the comments.
Greg