| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| NEILW |
Posted - 26 Jul 2008 : 12:24:12
Hi Forum.
We've just taken delivery of a new main and jib for the monster. I specified a Keel main to avoid the floatation insert at the top and use a Crewsaver mast 40 l masthead float. The new sails are much better up wind- at least we can actually make progress now in light conditions. One complaint - no Cunningham eylet in the Main! Are all keel sails like this or have the sail makers missed it out? Any comments much appreciated.
Neil, Gill and Clare STRATOSAURUS 312(Llandegfedd sailing club) |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| deswift |
Posted - 26 Jul 2008 : 23:12:48
Neil,
Not sure what you mean about the shackles, but I'm sure Laser will help you out, if the cringle should be a standard fitting. I reckon i'll be in the market for a new sail soon - and although there's someone on ebay selling cheaper non-standard sails, I think I'll do the same as you. i.e. a Keel main.
Don't know whether you saw my other post a while ago, but I had my main re-luffed at Hyde Sails. In short, the sail wasn't getting to the top of the mast and it was really tight in the mast track due to the luff rope shrinking. Inexpensive repair which has squeezed another year out of an otherwise knackered sail.
David
|
| NEILW |
Posted - 26 Jul 2008 : 21:06:52
Hi David,
Ours is an ex-sailing school boat so its had a pretty hard life. The luff of the main has shrunk in length by about 50mm and subsequently when we raise it to the top of the mast we get a really bad crease running from the head to the foot. I've tried putting a couple of shackles through the tack to over come this but the shape is still hard to read and when sailing in light winds and upwind speed is virtually non-existant. The sail is 'blown and baggy- a bit like an old well used hankerchief!! We've never had the propper jib only a copy by Dolphin Sails ( and a Dacron main by Dolphin too)The new sail is crisp has a good profile and in my opinion is much easier to read. We're all novices really and we've only been sailing 18 months- 6 months in the Stratos and previously in a 50 year old Wayfarer.
I was hoping the new sail would transform our performance but alas not as dramaticaly as I would have liked- at least we move forward now -we still have a lot to learn.
If you think I should have the cringle in the sail I'll contact Laser. The sail was damn expensive so they should be able to sort it out for me!!
Thanks foir your response.
Neil, Gill and Clare STRATOSAURUS 312(Llandegfedd sailing club) |
| deswift |
Posted - 26 Jul 2008 : 13:51:35
Hi Neil, Can't help with your specific question, but no doubt a sailmaker could put an extra cringle in for you.
I just wondered what condition your old mainsail was in and how you identified it as a problem.... I'm convinced that the 'main' reason I'm not pointing as high as some of the other boats in our club, is that my mainsail is in pretty poor condition. It's really difficult to trim the shape nicely . I've removed the float but it's still not great.
David
303 |
