[C320-list] Foresail

[Graeme Clark]

Just to add my sixpence worth!

I had a new genoa last year, and went for 135% as I rarely have issues with very light winds, but often have to reef in stronger ones!

As Brian says, the foam strip makes for a better shaped ‘roll’ when the sail is partially furled and that helps the shape of the unfurled portion.

I had the sail cut so the tack is approximately the height of the pulpit rail. A webbing strop is used to connect the distance between the tack and the furling drum attachment point, with lashings to transmit the lateral load to the furler. I wasnt sure how well this would work, but my sailmaker assurd me he had done this  for many other boats and he was correct. There is no problem furling and the increased visibility under the foot is fantastic -  you can sit in the cockpit and have full forward vision.  Best of all you dont get that annoying ‘break’ in the foot of the sail where it folds (and chafes) over the guard wires!

I also went for a bi-radial cut. This is basically slap cut from the head of the sail to about half way down then a radial pattern in the lower half. On the advice of my sailmaker this gives a better shape when furled but is a good compromise between cost and performance.

I got a good deal by giving them the job in mid summer when they were quiet. During winter you pay full price!

Hope this helps

Graeme
England

> On 17 Jan 2018, at 04:33, Ted Harrison <tharrison at innovations-plus.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks for this information as well. 
> 
> I love to trim sails so this is great. 
> 
> Ted Harrison
> 
>> On Jan 16, 2018, at 5:08 PM, Amirault Family <amiraults at sympatico.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> Ted:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> My limited experience with foam is YES. The furl on the additional 135 is
>> much smoother than the original 150. A warning; I am uncertain you can trust
>> my experience, as I am comparing the original sail that came to me just as
>> used as the boat, with a new one. I cannot say how much the improvement is
>> merely the difference between the partial roll of a tired and bagged sail
>> against rolling a new stiff one.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I do wonder if your vendor has discussed with you any other options for the
>> sail. A window at the telltales so you can more readily see both sides. A
>> draft stripe (a dark line going across the sail fore and aft part way up so
>> you can better judge the shape and make adjustments to the draft easier to
>> see. A high angle for the foot for better forward vision from the helm. A
>> second set of telltales farther aft on the sail so you will still have this
>> aid to efficiency when the forward set are rolled into a partial furl. You
>> might want to look into tape telltales rather than yarn, as my yarn ones
>> frequently seem to pick up a static charge and actually adhere to the sail
>> making them temporarily useless. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Brian Amirault
>> 
>> 797 Waltzing Bear, too
>>