Spinnaker, swap from one boat to another?
- Thread starter sbcwolff
- Start date
Check the rig numbers. It might work. I bought a used spinnaker that was made for a Cal 25 for my C25 and it worked fine.
The Mac26 is a fractional rig. The ODay 27 is a mast head rig. The difference in forestay length is about 12-14 feet.
The MacGregor 26s spinnaker will be about 12-14 feet shorter on the luff/leach than would be ideal for the ODay 27. It’s going to be a lot smaller area than it should be. It will have a far from ideal shape, might be unstable when flying, and might be touchy to trim.
And since the ODay weighs about twice as much at the Mac 26s, the spinnaker will be really underpowered for the ODAy
Of course you can do it, but it might be a bit frustrating. Underpowered and an unstable shape is a bad combo. Spinnakers are for going fast in light wind. This one won’t do that on the ODay.
Personally, if it were mine, I’d sell it and put the money towards one that is powerful enough to use in a couple of knots of wind, and that’s going to be easier to trim and fun to fly.
Judy B
Retired sailmaker
The MacGregor 26s spinnaker will be about 12-14 feet shorter on the luff/leach than would be ideal for the ODay 27. It’s going to be a lot smaller area than it should be. It will have a far from ideal shape, might be unstable when flying, and might be touchy to trim.
And since the ODay weighs about twice as much at the Mac 26s, the spinnaker will be really underpowered for the ODAy
Of course you can do it, but it might be a bit frustrating. Underpowered and an unstable shape is a bad combo. Spinnakers are for going fast in light wind. This one won’t do that on the ODay.
Personally, if it were mine, I’d sell it and put the money towards one that is powerful enough to use in a couple of knots of wind, and that’s going to be easier to trim and fun to fly.
Judy B
Retired sailmaker
Last edited:
Ditto the comments from DrJudyB. I had kept my asym from the Hunter 28.5 and wanted to use it on my 34. Knowing it was too short and because I had the material I went to the sail loft to make it more or less proper for the 34. Their words were almost verbatim those of DrJudyB ! Recommendation was to sell it and get another one. Best advice I ever got. I sold it and ordered a new one. Price difference of course, but it outweighted the years of frustration I would have lived through. So, in short, sell yours and if you don't order a new one, at least search for one that will have almost the same numbers as the O'Day requires. Good luck
Echoing Dr.J; using a Mac26 spinnaker on an O’Day 27 would add sail area ‘way up high, where it will tend to heel the boat ‘way over. Have you heard of “Laser death rolls?” when going downwind? Not what you want to have happening on an O’Day 27. It will need a spinnaker with more area down lower so it will pull the boat forward, not over.
Thanks guys for all the awesome info.
Where is the easiest place to find specs for sail measurements for various boats? (Ie if I find something used that would be a better fit but still not OEM for the Oday)
And good point DrJudyB - I wasn't even thinking about the fractional vs mast head aspect! Big difference there
Where is the easiest place to find specs for sail measurements for various boats? (Ie if I find something used that would be a better fit but still not OEM for the Oday)
And good point DrJudyB - I wasn't even thinking about the fractional vs mast head aspect! Big difference there
These guys have are a pretty reliable source:
The picture even shows one with a spinnaker up!
You may need to look up PHRF forms to confirm what I, P, J etc. measurements are.
Another idea would be to check on the Bacon used sail site. They often show different sails suitable for various designs.
The picture even shows one with a spinnaker up!
You may need to look up PHRF forms to confirm what I, P, J etc. measurements are.
Another idea would be to check on the Bacon used sail site. They often show different sails suitable for various designs.