Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

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randall330
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Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by randall330 »

Another newbe question, In a 5-6 knot wind. The leach of the Mainsail continues to flap. I have tried changing the shape of the sail by hauling down on the boom vang and adjusting the mainsheet in numerous ways. The luff of the main is so tight I can play tune on it. On my old MFG19 I would adjust the traveler to tighten up the leach but I'm having no luck. Any suggestions.
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Tomfoolery
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by Tomfoolery »

Is there a leach line on that sail?
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BOAT
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by BOAT »

All the MACs have leach line adjusters, right? Did the sail-maker not put a leach line in your sail? Is there are little rope hanging out of the leach of your sail?
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Tomfoolery
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by Tomfoolery »

BOAT wrote:All the MACs have leach line adjusters, right? Did the sail-maker not put a leach line in your sail? Is there are little rope hanging out of the leach of your sail?
Or two of them, in my case at least. One above the (only) reef cringle, and one below it.
randall330
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by randall330 »

That's a good question. I'll have to check that out, after the storm passes.
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Tomfoolery
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by Tomfoolery »

Good questions we have lots of. Good answers; wellllll, you pays your money and you takes your choice. :|
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Starscream
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by Starscream »

You did, of course, fully release the topping lift? That flapping is my personal reminder that I forgot that crucial step.
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sailboatmike
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by sailboatmike »

Are all the battens in and the correct length, its pretty easy to forget a batten or for one to fall out
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BOAT
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by BOAT »

I don't think he can look at his sail - I think he said something about being in a storm:

Image

I can only assume he is somewhere near Florida or the East Coast?

(Is that kind of storm activity normal for you guys over there on the day before June???) :?
randall330
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by randall330 »

Actually I'm on Lake Martin, in Alabama. The storms track was only about 20 miles west of us. We have pretty good storms year round.
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Highlander
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by Highlander »

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sailboatmike
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by sailboatmike »

Or of course it could be because you are using old stretched original Mac sails, very thin and poor quality when new, now they are 20 odd years old not much better than a hankicheff, it becomes a whole new boat with decent sails, heels less, more acceleration and points a heap higher.
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Signaleer
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Re: Leach of Mainsail continues to flap on a 26x.

Post by Signaleer »

old sails is most likely the answer. Sure a leech line is going to help but in that little a wind...?

If the leech is flapping in that manner there is most likely a whole lot wrong with other parts of the sail shape - the leech line is just the one you are noticing.

The first question which I thought was not brought up immediately is: how old are the sails?
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