Standard Sail on a Tall Rig?? 270 vs. 290

[Raftco]

I just read that O'day 25 keel boats have a taller mast than the centerboard (makes sense), but I had not researched or heard anyone mention it to me until finding some specs online just now. My boat came to me for free and had no sails with it. Recently I found some sails for a very good price at an estate sale, but had not researched the difference in sail sizes between the keel and CB boats and had just figured that they were the same size. The sails I bought were from a CB rigged O'day 25.

Can I use a 270 sq ft main sail on a tall rig mast? Is it the height of the sail, foot of the sail, or entire configuration that is different between the 270 & 290? I would assume that they used the same booms on each boat and the foot would be the same?

I will measure the mast tomorrow to see what I actually have for height, how do I measure the mast to make sure that the sails will fit before I pull them out and try to rig it up - anyone know? There is a black tape at the top of the mast that I know is used for some sort of measurement.

Thanks for the help, feeling a little annoyed with myself that I had not researched this out earlier. :cussing: I'm learning about this boat as I go and this is one of only a few mistakes I've made thus far....thankfully.

 

[LordNelson]

as long as it fits on the boom, i would think you could use it although it may not be as efficient.

fyi - i was looking at a Sail Warehouse site and they showed three models: Oday 25, Oday 25 Tall Rig, and an Oday 25D. Unfortunately, it did not show any sail demensions for the different models.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

I just read that O'day 25 keel boats have a taller mast than the centerboard (makes sense), but I had not researched or heard anyone mention it to me until finding some specs online just now. My boat came to me for free and had no sails with it. Recently I found some sails for a very good price at an estate sale, but had not researched the difference in sail sizes between the keel and CB boats and had just figured that they were the same size. The sails I bought were from a CB rigged O'day 25.

Can I use a 270 sq ft main sail on a tall rig mast? Is it the height of the sail, foot of the sail, or entire configuration that is different between the 270 & 290? I would assume that they used the same booms on each boat and the foot would be the same?

I will measure the mast tomorrow to see what I actually have for height, how do I measure the mast to make sure that the sails will fit before I pull them out and try to rig it up - anyone know? There is a black tape at the top of the mast that I know is used for some sort of measurement.

Thanks for the help, feeling a little annoyed with myself that I had not researched this out earlier. :cussing: I'm learning about this boat as I go and this is one of only a few mistakes I've made thus far....thankfully.

Raftco:

You said, "I would assume that they used the same booms on each boat and the foot would be the same?"

O'Day did not even use same mast on all 25 c/b's! I would not assume that your are correct. However, they may have in used the same boom on boat that your sails came from and your boat.

Get out tape measure.

The c/b's mast is several foot shorter, so your sail may be useable, somewhat. Its luff will necessarily be shorter. Just as if it was permanently reefed.

So, just sail on...

Ed K
26

 

[Sunbird22358]

The 25 Fin-Keel version had a 2' taller mast than the K/CB version, boom length was the same for both as far as I know. The Main (and jib) for a K/CB 25 will fit the mast of a Keel version, but will be about 2' shorter on the luff and so the head of the sail will be about 2' below the masthead, not really a problem in a sense, it will look "funny" but will work. The smaller main will get you sailing, and if the price was right.....! I don't think you will really see any significant preformance loss in general sailing.
Those black stripes on the mast indicate the "measured" length of the luff of the sail, the one near the masthead gives a theoretical indication of where the head of the sail should reach, but is really only critical for racing one-design, where the sail MUST not go beyond that line (some boats have 2 lines, one at the masthead and one where the gooseneck should be, and some boats also have a line on the outer end of the boom to show the maximum point that the clew can be stretched out. Basically, these lines are to show that the sail is of the standard size for that class boat, or that the sail is the same size as what was measured to determine the boat's rating in a Handicapped race (different classes sailing in same race, ratings determine the "handicap".)
So, going back to my original point, the head of the K/CB main should end up about 2' +/- below that upper black band.

 

[RichBone]

Even though there were spar brand changes during the manufacturing, I would think that the sail measurements would be kept the same. Also if you're sailing in an area with an abundance of wind the performance hit with the shorter sail wouldn't be a problem. Just think of it as being reefed. At least you didn't get a tall sail for a shorter mast.

Rich

 

[Raftco]

At least you didn't get a tall sail for a shorter mast.

Rich

I thought the same thing, and a bit happier for at least not making that mistake! I just measured the mast and it is 31 ft tall, which means I got the tall rig (and had no idea!)

The good part is I got a really good deal on the sails and they are in almost new condition (looks like they've been used once), so I don't feel bad - but looks like I need to keep a lookout for the proper size sails.

The difference in the sail area is 270 sq feet for the CB model and 290 sq feet for the tall rig. I thought the same about the reefing comment.

Anyone looking for a virtually brand new 270 sq ft main sail for a very fair price?