Diagnosing a bad-looking main

Tripp Gal · Post by **Tripp Gal** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:46 pm

Good point about too much vang/mainsheet during a hoist limiting the hoist. The amount of luff bag I see is not matching the amount of draft and the very aft location so while it may solve some of the problem it wont salve it all.

OK, I have tried to edit this 3 times. I didn't type "salve" I typed S-O-L-V-E sheesh I thought I was losing my mind.

craiglaforce · Post by **craiglaforce** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:41 pm

My original mainsail also had too much belly. Bought a new one with a flatter cut and it is much better. I should have gotten a cunningham cringle though.

I think more halyard tension and more backstay tension would help take out the wrinkles. If you take it to a sai maker, get a cunningham cringle. I think that would be the easiest way to help it out.

Also, make sure the boom is totally free when hoisting the mainsail to get a full hoist. (vang and mainsheet completely loose.)

mike · Post by **mike** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:26 pm

Thanks for all the informative responses. The sail is the boat's original, so it's about 7 or 8 years old. I'll try to improve the shape next time out using the advice given, and if that doesn't help, I'll look at other options.

By the way, a few people mentioned the leech cord... should I try to fiddle with that, or leave it alone?

--Mike

Sloop John B · Post by **Sloop John B** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:41 pm

No, leech cord won't do itl.

Most have recognized that your sail is not all the way up. You've been advised to loosen the vang and main sheet, even lift the boom.

But hey, if the halyard sticks/stops, it's got to be in the mast track somewhere.

Yeah, I know. Take her down and inspect thouroughly.

What? No problem with the track, and getting her up?

How many times have you been around the Horn with this canvas?

In the case it looks to be shot, I would get Tripp Gal's phone number to get her to come over and do a number on this thing. Yes, I mean inspect it.

Get her good advice whether to take it to a sail surgeon or scrap it.

If she's not available, go see the guy with the gleaming white teeth behind the cash register at the local sail loft.

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 12:58 am

Mike,
I don't think the leech cord (pucker string) is causing your problem. I usually have my leech cord loose unless the leech is flapping. In this case pull it just enough to stop the fluttering. Fluttering puts extra wear on the leech. The leech cord on the jib or genny should be used to prevent fluttering there too. If it's too tight it will cup the leech and mess up the airflow.
The leech cord can also be used when going off wind to give the sail more shape.
I also noticed the reefing line on the leech of your sail. Make sure that is loose unless you're actually reefed.
BB

norbert · Post by **norbert** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:41 am

as mentioned above: be sure that your vang and sheets are loose when hoisting the main. point the boat directly into the wind. check the mast track and halyard. be shure that the mast is not bent too far (means the backstay is not too tight!). finally have an experienced sailor look on it. even with a 7/8 years old main you should not have such a bad shape. mine has the same age and and is still ok.

Sloop John B · Post by **Sloop John B** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:25 am

Mike,

It appears you have slugs and have had a 'window' installed. If you didn't have this done, then the PO did. Hard to tell but the halyard might be out of place. Stock, they run down the starboard side of the mast. The block at the top (on mine) is bolted to starboard. I remember this because I wanted to run my main halyard aft on the port side until I saw this.

So, check the slugs for a crumbly that might be goofing it.

A sail doesn't go like this overnight. Was it okay last time you were out? If it wasn't, you surely would have noticed it.

Let us know how you make out.

Tom Spohn · Post by **Tom Spohn** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:11 am

I agree with Sloop John B.
1. Either the halyard is not pulling the sail all the way up because the vang is tensioned, and/or there is some extra friction or obstruction in the sail slot, or.......

2. The sail is shot.

mike · Post by **mike** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:04 pm

I thought that the sail was fully hoisted (though there always seems to be about 6 - 8" or so of mast above the top of the sail... is that normal?), but I'll make sure to follow the tips given to lessen the resistance in hoisting.

--Mike

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:40 pm

On my 2002 X 6 inches of mast above the sail is too much - the head of the sail should be almost touching the block imho.

mike · Post by **mike** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:56 pm

Catigale wrote:On my 2002 X 6 inches of mast above the sail is too much - the head of the sail should be almost touching the block imho.

Hmmm... I'll give this a closer look next weekend and confirm.

--Mike

Sloop John B · Post by **Sloop John B** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 2:33 pm

I know all these should all be the same, but I have considerable lee way for space at the top when the main is up. To really tell, you have to rig in the back yard and step back from the boat. Just looking up while at sea is hard to judge.

James V · Post by **James V** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 3:59 pm

Why don't you take your main and jib to a sail shop and have them washed. Do both as the unwashed one will be darker than the washed one. They can then tell you if the sail needs repair.

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Diagnosing a bad-looking main