Improper Trim or worn-out sail?

[Stephen Heineke]

I have the original main sail on my CD25 hull#67 (1973). When I am under sail there is a fold or crease just fore of the leech. This fold follows the leech from the head to the foot of the sail. I don't know if this fold is due to poor sail trim or if the sail is just worn out. I am willing to purchase a new sail, but I don't want to end up with a new sail and an old problem. This is my first sail boat so I don't have any experience to guide me. So, again I am depending on the advice of you experts…I'm glad you all don't charge consultant fees!

Even with the sail in this condition, she's a beauty to sail.

Stephen Heineke
s/v La Suavita



austex@attglobal.net

[John Vigor]

Stephen, it's difficult to know exactly what the problem is without seeing it, but it could be one of two things:

1)Check that the battens are in their pockets. Without them, the leech will fold over and flop to leeward.

2) Check that the leech line isn't girting the sail. It's a thin line sewn into the outer edge of the leech, and it usually has an adjustment at the bottom, near the clew, or outer end of the boom. Look for a white line coming out of the sail on to a small cleat, button, or some other kind of adjuster. If it's too tight, loosen it.

If this doesn't help, get a new sail. Yours is an antique. The problem with Dacron sailcloth is that it's almost indestuctible, and it still looks as if it should work well when, in fact, it's badly blown out of shape and very inefficient. You'll be amazed at the improvement in handling (weather helm) and speed.

John V.

I have the original main sail on my CD25 hull#67 (1973). When I am under sail there is a fold or crease just fore of the leech. This fold follows the leech from the head to the foot of the sail. I don't know if this fold is due to poor sail trim or if the sail is just worn out. I am willing to purchase a new sail, but I don't want to end up with a new sail and an old problem. This is my first sail boat so I don't have any experience to guide me. So, again I am depending on the advice of you experts…I'm glad you all don't charge consultant fees!

Even with the sail in this condition, she's a beauty to sail.

Stephen Heineke
s/v La Suavita

jvigor@qwest.net

[Ed Haley]

Another excellent way to determine if your sails are worn out is to place the sail on a smooth part of the deck before hoisting and see how much stretch there is in the cloth in two directions. Place your hands about a foot apart and try to stretch the cloth. If it stretches quite a bit, it is inefficient. Try to stretch the cloth again at right angles and the same should happen. When the cloth stretches like that, the elasticity in the cloth robs the energy from the wind that would otherwise be used to push your boat through the water. It also provides a big pocket in the sail producing weather helm as the previous response indicated.

One of the most immediate gratifications to sailing comes with the addition of new sails.



eghaley@twcny.rr.com

[Neil Gordon]

It's worth establishing a relationship with a local sailmaker. Find someone that everyone else trusts, and he won't sell you a sail you don't need or won't gouge you on selling you a new one. He'll also be able to tell you just how bad your sail is... whether it's just inefficient or if it's likely to fail and force you to row home. Sail lofts are great places to hang out, but I prefer spending my time there in the winter. <g>


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com