First i would like to thank everybody for the info regarding roller ferling systems.
My query now is regarding my mainsail replacement.
1. The loft i will be working with is sugesting a loose footed main. The main i currently have is attached to the boom with slugs and i really like it that way. Any apinions on this?
2. I currently have a fully battoned main. The Loft is sugesting 2 full battons and 2 half battons. Any opinions on this?
3. What material should the sail be made out of to comlament this type of boat.
4. I currently have 2 reef points, should i get a 3rd reef with the new sail.
any other sugestions will be greatly appreciated.
Main Sail replacement cd27.
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Andy Denmark
Re: Main Sail replacement cd27.
John,
Congratulations on owning a great boat!
Regarding mainsail replacement and your questions:
(1) IMHO a loose-footed mainsail is a big plus. Nothing like it on a reach or run when the outhaul is eased way out and the shape really results in a lot of extra drive. My Moore 24 is loose-footed and the difference over the old slug-footed main is remarkable. Doesn't make any difference going upwind that I can tell. My new CD-27 main will be loose-footed.
(2) The lower two battens on a 27 footer are unnecessary. Two full uppers is all you need. The weight difference is significant in light air and the easier handling is a big plus. There seems to be a tendency for sailmakers to put too much roach into mains these days. Make sure the top batten doesn't hang on the backstay or even touch it. Severe chafe will result.
(3) My new CD-27 main will be made of either Bainbridge CL-5/CL-6 laminate or Dimension CX-5/CX-6 laminate, the heavier material on the leech. (The Dimension stuff is really sexy!) For slightly more $$$ either of these is a better choice than Dacron and will result in a sail that will be good longer.
(4) A third reef in a mainsail for a 27 footer will probably never be used. Save your money. If you feel uncomfortable without this make the lower two reefs a couple inches deeper. I have only used my second reef a dozen times in 16 years over many sailing miles and can't recall that I ever wanted (or needed) a third.
The anachronists will probably cringe at all the above but I think your sailmaker is right on target. If he's local even better. There's nothing like having a sailmaker whose full attention you have when you need help. You get that attention when you buy his sails.
Hope this helps,
Andy Denmark
CD-27 "Rhiannon"
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com
Congratulations on owning a great boat!
Regarding mainsail replacement and your questions:
(1) IMHO a loose-footed mainsail is a big plus. Nothing like it on a reach or run when the outhaul is eased way out and the shape really results in a lot of extra drive. My Moore 24 is loose-footed and the difference over the old slug-footed main is remarkable. Doesn't make any difference going upwind that I can tell. My new CD-27 main will be loose-footed.
(2) The lower two battens on a 27 footer are unnecessary. Two full uppers is all you need. The weight difference is significant in light air and the easier handling is a big plus. There seems to be a tendency for sailmakers to put too much roach into mains these days. Make sure the top batten doesn't hang on the backstay or even touch it. Severe chafe will result.
(3) My new CD-27 main will be made of either Bainbridge CL-5/CL-6 laminate or Dimension CX-5/CX-6 laminate, the heavier material on the leech. (The Dimension stuff is really sexy!) For slightly more $$$ either of these is a better choice than Dacron and will result in a sail that will be good longer.
(4) A third reef in a mainsail for a 27 footer will probably never be used. Save your money. If you feel uncomfortable without this make the lower two reefs a couple inches deeper. I have only used my second reef a dozen times in 16 years over many sailing miles and can't recall that I ever wanted (or needed) a third.
The anachronists will probably cringe at all the above but I think your sailmaker is right on target. If he's local even better. There's nothing like having a sailmaker whose full attention you have when you need help. You get that attention when you buy his sails.
Hope this helps,
Andy Denmark
CD-27 "Rhiannon"
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com
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Warren Kaplan
Re: Main Sail replacement cd27.
Andy,
I know I've read that there is a "downside" to loose footed mainsails but right now the reason escapes my memory. I "think" it had to do with up wind performance?? You've given all the reasons to go with a loose footed sail, can you give its "drawbacks"?
Also, I too will be buying a new main (for next season) for my CD27. Any problem with using a loose footed sail with lazy jacks or a Dutchman system?? I expect not but I don't know. Any other considerations or modifications required with a loose footer??
Thanks,
Warren
Setsail728@aol.com
I know I've read that there is a "downside" to loose footed mainsails but right now the reason escapes my memory. I "think" it had to do with up wind performance?? You've given all the reasons to go with a loose footed sail, can you give its "drawbacks"?
Also, I too will be buying a new main (for next season) for my CD27. Any problem with using a loose footed sail with lazy jacks or a Dutchman system?? I expect not but I don't know. Any other considerations or modifications required with a loose footer??
Thanks,
Warren
Setsail728@aol.com
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Andy Denmark
Re: Main Sail replacement cd27.
Warren,
I don't know the downside to a loose-footed main but there might well be one. Let me know if you find your reference.
The M-24 loose-footed main is a killer upwind and points higher and goes faster than the slug-footed main. That could be evolutionary as we tweaked the shape some when we built the loose-footed one. I can't think of any reason the same wouldn't hold true for a cruising main. (The M-24 main is made of the X-ply polyester laminate I mentioned in the previous post.) Cape Dories are fast boats when there's any wind and I cannot fathom slowing them down because of poor sails. Fast boats are more fun to sail in every respect.
If you have to have help dropping the main on a 27 footer then the Dutchman system is the way to go. Lazy jacks are excess weight aloft, chafe potential, and windage (read: slows the boat down). Personally, I'm leaning toward Dutchman setup on Rhiannon but am still undecided whether I'll use anything. I mean, how difficult is it to handle the main on a 27 foot boat anyway; put the nose into the wind and drop it, gathering it in as you go and stopping it off when it's all down. Then again, at 62 y.o. I'm not as agile as I once was. Think I'll put the Dutchman cringles in when I build the sail and not put the system on until there's a need to do so.
When will this rain ever stop! I've bailed out the skiff three times in 24 hours! And there's not a hurricane close by. Go figure?
Andy Denmark
CD-27 "Rhiannon"
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com
I don't know the downside to a loose-footed main but there might well be one. Let me know if you find your reference.
The M-24 loose-footed main is a killer upwind and points higher and goes faster than the slug-footed main. That could be evolutionary as we tweaked the shape some when we built the loose-footed one. I can't think of any reason the same wouldn't hold true for a cruising main. (The M-24 main is made of the X-ply polyester laminate I mentioned in the previous post.) Cape Dories are fast boats when there's any wind and I cannot fathom slowing them down because of poor sails. Fast boats are more fun to sail in every respect.
If you have to have help dropping the main on a 27 footer then the Dutchman system is the way to go. Lazy jacks are excess weight aloft, chafe potential, and windage (read: slows the boat down). Personally, I'm leaning toward Dutchman setup on Rhiannon but am still undecided whether I'll use anything. I mean, how difficult is it to handle the main on a 27 foot boat anyway; put the nose into the wind and drop it, gathering it in as you go and stopping it off when it's all down. Then again, at 62 y.o. I'm not as agile as I once was. Think I'll put the Dutchman cringles in when I build the sail and not put the system on until there's a need to do so.
When will this rain ever stop! I've bailed out the skiff three times in 24 hours! And there's not a hurricane close by. Go figure?
Andy Denmark
CD-27 "Rhiannon"
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com