[C320-list] Head'sl Question (Gus Macdonald)

[David Veeneman]

I’ve been told that many (if not most) sail lofts use a software package called ProSail, which contains a database of stock sail specs for most popular makes of boats over the past 25 years or so. ProSail connects to a large vacuum table on which the Dacron (or other material) specified for the customer is rolled out. A printing/cutting head is attached to the table via a long arm and stepper motors, and is controlled by ProSail. The software optimizes the layout of the pieces on the sailcloth marks the location of patches and whatnot, and cuts the pieces, which then go to a sewing table. I’d be interested in hearing from others whether that information is accurate.

I have an older Unman headsail (a 150% genny) on Adelante, and the sailcloth doesn’t seem too light. However, the sacrificial cover on the leech was three-ounce Dacron, which has left the leech in pretty poor shape. I patched it up and put Sunbrella sacrificial on the leech, to limp the sail through until I replace it with a new one. From what Ive seen, Ulman is no better or worse than anyone else in sail construction, but I’d check what kind of sacrificial is on the sail.

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David Veeneman
Dana Point, CA
SV Adelante, C320 #131


> On Sep 11, 2019, at 1:05 PM, Joe Geiger <joe.geiger at gmail.com <mailto:joe.geiger at gmail.com>> wrote:
> 
> The 150% head’sl on my boat is the original factory sail and is pretty blown out.  Catalina Direct has a 15% off on Ullman sails until 9/24 and I was wondering if anybody has experience with this brand. With the discount, it’s about $1K cheaper than Doyle which has a loft near our club.  
> 
> After reading the Ullman 150% description it sounds like it uses lighter sail cloth and is not recommended to be reefed using the furler.  They say it has too much draft and can get blown out when partially furled. We typically have light to moderate winds here in Narraganset Bay, RI so the extra sail area would be nice. I would definitely want the ability to reef it in a good blow as I’ve found sailing under just the main can make tacking difficult.
> 
> Anyone have the Ullman 150% or any thoughts on the pros and cons of a 150% vs. a 135% (which reportedly can be reefed without harm)?
> 
> 
> Joe
> --
> Joe Geiger
> Vega #722
> Greenwich Cove, RI