OK, first question: The foot of my main is about 16" - 18" shorter than the boom. Would it have been made that way for a reason, or is this maybe a used sail from another boat? Also, I'm thinking of replacing the furling 150% genoa. It has a very heavy, stiff cable inside and a drum at the bottom. When I get a new one (135%) should I replace the furling system as well? They are both looking old and in need of replacement in the near future. I don't know the history of the boat, as it was given to me near the end of the season last year. Yes, my first boat and the new name sums it up well. Thanks, Pete S/V Clewless
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Clarification
Thanks for your reply. It's sort of hard to explain without knowing all the terminology. The heavy cable is sewn into the genoa. It's not something I've seen on other boats, and there are really no other components to the furling system other than the drum. Folding it is impossible. (let's say I have it "coiled" for winter storage) It's also very heavy. If the sail needs replacing anyway, shouldn't I consider a new furling system? The stitching is looking very old, and the 150% seems a bit much for anything more than a light breeze. Thanks
Thanks for your reply. It's sort of hard to explain without knowing all the terminology. The heavy cable is sewn into the genoa. It's not something I've seen on other boats, and there are really no other components to the furling system other than the drum. Folding it is impossible. (let's say I have it "coiled" for winter storage) It's also very heavy. If the sail needs replacing anyway, shouldn't I consider a new furling system? The stitching is looking very old, and the 150% seems a bit much for anything more than a light breeze. Thanks
New sails
Sounds like you do need new ones. It could be that the main is not short but the boom long to get the end with a sheet attached near a track at the end of the cockpit. The system you have for roller furling is not the best for preventing headsail sag. The newer systems that go over the headstay work better for sail set, and rolling, and a wider choice of sails. I think you woould enjoy sailing more with better equipment and newer sails. Mark
Sounds like you do need new ones. It could be that the main is not short but the boom long to get the end with a sheet attached near a track at the end of the cockpit. The system you have for roller furling is not the best for preventing headsail sag. The newer systems that go over the headstay work better for sail set, and rolling, and a wider choice of sails. I think you woould enjoy sailing more with better equipment and newer sails. Mark
Hey, Jim, I did that to my O'Day 27..
I had an O'Day 27 for a couple of years. Loved the boat. It was a little weak on sail area in my region. My wife bought me new sails for Christmas and my birthday. (Nice, huh?) A 160 jennie and an oversize main that used the full boom and had the largest roach possible and a full batten at the top. It transformed the boat. When I got the next boat, we and the buyer of the O'Day took a trip to Catalina Island. He kicked my tail the whole way there. Rick D.
I had an O'Day 27 for a couple of years. Loved the boat. It was a little weak on sail area in my region. My wife bought me new sails for Christmas and my birthday. (Nice, huh?) A 160 jennie and an oversize main that used the full boom and had the largest roach possible and a full batten at the top. It transformed the boat. When I got the next boat, we and the buyer of the O'Day took a trip to Catalina Island. He kicked my tail the whole way there. Rick D.
Newbie Sails
What you most probably have is an original Schaefer free-luff furler for your headsail. The Wire Luff is there to support the sail. These were very common 20years ago. They have pretty much been replaced by modern Genoa furling/reefing systems, that go over the headstay. You will enjoy sailing more with a modern furling system and a new properly made sail. As Mr. Ploch stated about the Boom length, earlier boats used a longer boom to get the mainsheet behind the cockpit. The sail being short does not necessarily mean it was designed wrong. When boats are designed, the designer also designs the sail plan for the boat, and the main could have been designed with that foot length for the balance of the boat. In Turn the boom looks long for the reason stated above. If a new sail is designed to your boom length, the roach designed into the sail may very well overhang your backstay and cause problems when you tack. The best thing to do is discuss this with your sailmaker. Quite often they will have actual sailplans of this boat and will help you with determining whether or not you can or should extend the foot.
What you most probably have is an original Schaefer free-luff furler for your headsail. The Wire Luff is there to support the sail. These were very common 20years ago. They have pretty much been replaced by modern Genoa furling/reefing systems, that go over the headstay. You will enjoy sailing more with a modern furling system and a new properly made sail. As Mr. Ploch stated about the Boom length, earlier boats used a longer boom to get the mainsheet behind the cockpit. The sail being short does not necessarily mean it was designed wrong. When boats are designed, the designer also designs the sail plan for the boat, and the main could have been designed with that foot length for the balance of the boat. In Turn the boom looks long for the reason stated above. If a new sail is designed to your boom length, the roach designed into the sail may very well overhang your backstay and cause problems when you tack. The best thing to do is discuss this with your sailmaker. Quite often they will have actual sailplans of this boat and will help you with determining whether or not you can or should extend the foot.
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