Has anyone shorten the sail to raise the boom on a Ty?

[clark]

I have a sail maker wanting some pin to pin dimensions and I was wondering if anyone has considered or has cut the sails ("P") to raise the boom higher for head room? Or should I leave the "P" at 22ft?
Thanks Clark

[Michael_Typhoon]

Well, quite by accident I grabbed the storm main instead of the regular main when I went out this last weekend. It had been cut along the 'luff' edge (from tack to head - and by that I mean from the end of the boom to the mast head)- but I don't know by how much. I'd have to measure it.

It was noticeable in the cockpit, though! Much more head room and I wasn't at all worried about the boom hitting my head as my mother steered a crooked course...

Michael

[John Martin]

How high do you want to raise the boom? Make sure your main is at full hoist, and you are just pulling down to tension the luff. It will change the performance some. I assume you will get a sail loft to re-cut the sail.

Before you have the sail re-designed, BORROW a smaller sail, from a simular size boat and try it, to make sure you like it.

Also, you can have the sail loft install a flattening reef point. This will alow you to raise the outboard end of the boom several inches, and it is less permanent.

Luck, JM

[clark]

Michael and JM
I will have a flattening reef added and leave the "P" at 22'. I really don't want to sail with a storm main...
Thanks for your help, Clark

[Gary H]

My 35 year old original sail had "shrunk" over the years. When I bought a new sail, the sailmaker said I should go with the published luff length as opposed to the measured luff of the original. The boom sits lower with the new sail and I liked it better with the shrunk original. I do not notice any significant decrease in power for the extra 6 inches.

[clark]

Thanks Gary,
I will consider your observations when making my decision. I tend to sail alone or with a crowd so I kind of stuck wanting everyone save(er) from a potential flying boom but prefer a stock sail while sailing alone. If the flattening reef will raise the boom say 6" like your old sail then maybe we have a plan.
Clark

[rtbates]

I had the leech of our 25D's main shortened by 8" to raise the boom END. Works great... I didn't have the two reefs at the leech raised so when reefing the boom end comes down SOME, but not a problem.

[clark]

Thanks Randy,
I'm having sails recut so shorten the leach is an option, I'll have to think about that, I'm wondering how/if it might affect performance? would that simulate a flattening reef?
Clark