Looking for advice to improve mainsail performance

[gusto]

Newly purchased Doyle mainsail never fills out at any point of sail. Instead crease-like lines run downwards from each gromet at roughly 45° angles. The sail isn't scalloped and the main halyard is tight.

I suspect these creases is something obvious I have missed and not a manufacturing problem. New Doyle genoa works great. Many thanks in advance.

[tartansailor]

G,
If you mean creases originating at the sail's attachment points to the mast, then try easing the sheet; then very slightly tighten the Cunningham, then apply Vang as needed.

A Sail maker owns it to the customer who buys a new sail, to demo it for the first time and resolve issues like this.

Hope this helps.

Dick

[CruiseAlong]

From your discription it sounds like a lot of camber in the mainsail. Is the Doyle sail built with a "lower shelf area" along the entire boom foot. This would be the area of the sail which extends from the boom upward to about a foot above the boom...all along the full horizontal length of the boom. You would have "gromets" or "kringles" (metal eyelets) at this upper level at the leech and luff edges of the sail. If so, this lower section of the sail is used only in very light wind and gives the sail more camber (full body) to hold the lighter air. As the air freshens up just a bit, a flatter sail, less camber is necessary. These "gromets" are then secured at the boom level at the tack and clew... and then the main sail is hauled up. The main sail does not haul up as far as before....This is certainly worth a discussion with Doyle on what you actually have here.

[Cathy Monaghan]

Hi,

Since this is a new sail you should contact the sailmaker. Ideally, he/she should come out to the boat and take a look at the sail while the boat is undersail. Since it is new, the sail should be re-cut (or whatever needs to be done to it) at no additional cost to you -- anyway, that's the way it should be. Give it a try.


Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay