Mainsail swap... 26D to 26X

[svscott]

I just looked at Sailrite's website and it looks as though the sail dimensions are really close between the X and D. My 26X main is rather ratty but my 26D is in pretty good shape. I won't be buying 2 new sails any time soon but it looks like I may be able to fit my 26D main onto the X. I've been considering upgrading my 26D sail and seeing that my old sail is in much better shape, I may be able to upgrade both boats while only buying one sail.

Can anyone confirm this would work? Below are the specs I found.

26X -


26D -


26D


26X

[Herschel]

Sounds like a reasonable experiment to me. I think we Mac owners are largely in that category of boat owners who reasonably need to find a balance between a pristine vessel with perfectly fitted out accoutrements and ones that we can actually afford and can fit into our life styles. I think we can point with pride to our many mods and DIY projects. Good luck.

[beechkingd]

My Rolly Tasker main sail is labeled to fit 26m, 26x, 26d and 224.

[svscott]

The sailmaker who custom made my 26D sails for my dad in about 1999 emailed me today and confirmed that the 26d luff should be the same but it's foot is 4" shorter than the X. Their price seems pretty good at about $950 for the main and $580 for a hank on jib, including a 15% fall discount but I think I'll hold off another season and try my 26D sail on the X before buying. My old 26d sails have held up very well but needed a little repair with this past spring to relax the shrunken bolt rope, replace the leech line, and reinforce a couple worn spots just above the foot.

I had Bierig Sailmakers in Erie PA stop by my boat and measure to quote new sails but I haven't heard back yet. It was awesome... after measuring my rig, the owner of the company invited my 8 year old son and myself to follow him over to the erie yacht club to tour his 1929 Alden 54' wooden ketch that he bought and restored. His boat is gorgeous! I've got a bunch of pictures of it sailing over the years but this was my first time going aboard. I felt awkward taking pics inside while he showed me around his boat but there are online articles documenting the restoration.

Here is a picture I took of Dreamer while I was sailing last week, before I'd even talked to him about quoting new sails.

[Newell]

I purchased from Judy B a 26X mainsail that I have used on both my boats: 1989 26D Windancer and 1996 26X Fast Sunday. Booms are both stock length with the same fittings, I roll the mainsail onto each boom, cover and store when trailering. Since I can only sail one at a time I haven't used the Doyle mainsail for many years because I like to race and the Hyde sail is faster, both are loose footed. The luff length of the D and the X is different so the jibs aren't interchangeable.

[svscott]

The gooseneck connections are different on each boat so I may need to modify the connection.

Sadly, winter has moved into NW PA and there is no sailing here until Spring. I didn't get tarps on before the first snow.

[Newell]

The gooseneck connections are different on each boat so I may need to modify the connection.

Sadly, winter has moved into NW PA and there is no sailing here until Spring. I didn't get tarps on before the first snow.


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Thanks for the reminder, I remember changing the gooseneck fittings now. As I remember one fitting was 90 degrees opposite of the other. I have 2 of the old style if anybody needs them. I use a solid AL rod to connect boom to mast on both boats.