Vega mainsail..

[groundhogyh]

Hello all,
I just gpt a quote for a new mainsail from my local guy.
I would like to run it by you all to get some feedback on what options are included.
Here is the quote...

155 sq ft
7.3 oz Dacron
2 standard battens, 2 full battens
2 reefs ( i think with the smaller cringles in between for tying)
Numbers and Logo
Luff slides
Headboard
Moderate girth ??
bag

This is also for a cord along the foot... should i ask about the loose footed type?
For lazy jacks and sail stowage systems, should i ask about all full battens?

Thanks,
roy


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[tim_klynn]

I'm not sure what moderate girth is, maybe he means he will add to the roach or maybe he is going to make the sail have a moderate draft?

From what I hear, a loose footed main allows for better sail shape adjusting.
My mainsail is Doyle, has the 2+2 battens which works well, except for maybe very light air when I get a bit of a kink at the battens and a full batten main might be better.

My sail had one reef point when I got it, I had another put in, which is great on those squirrely gusty days.

My understanding of lazy jacks is that they aren't part of the sail, more of a rigging thing.
I don't have them and don't really feel I have a need for them on this small of a mainsail. Sailors on my dock with similar size boats have them and love them. I don't think you need full battens to use lazy jacks.

I'm sure you will get better advice here from others that are know more about sails than I do (wouldn't take much). -Tim

 

[j.hunter9999]

I've got two mains and have been playing with both for a couple years. One is partially battened with two reef points, the other is fully battened with two reef points. They originally had one reef point each, until I added the second point.

I rigged up a stowable lazy jack system a couple years ago. It works GREAT and I love sailing with it. It is stowed for raising the sail and raised for lowering it.

The fully battened sail is easier with the lazy jacks. It is also great in light wind conditions. The lazy jacks would not likely be quoted as part of the sail.

I don't have an opinion about loose footed or not. I've sailed both, but never a loose footed on a Vega.

Hope some of that helps.

Jack
Bella - V2620

 

[groundhogyh]

Thank you Tim and Jack.
I just thought of the roach as well.
If you have full battons all the way up, and you add the spring type of boom vang, can you increase the roach? And will this give much improvement worth the cost (or maybe negative improvement.. lol)?
roy

 

[tim_klynn]

I don't know about a rigid (?) vang would allow for more roach. I've got a basic vang led back to the cockpit and will be replacing my wire topping lift with a 1/8" Dyneema one this spring.

My roach overlaps the backstay maybe 2-3 inches near the top of the sail. Normally the overlap gives me no problem, but in very light winds, during a tack, the sail hangs up on the backstay and I have to give the mainsheet a tug down to pop it free and clear of the backstay.

From what I understand about sail shape, the elliptical roach is more efficient/powerful than a straight roach, so I don't mind the slight inconvenience. We do alot of tacking whenever we sail, and I haven't noticed any wear on the sail from chafe. -Tim