Attaching square top to mast

[Barra]

Appreciate any quick replies on this as I have had a debacle of a new mainsail delivered and have the chance to get it recut next week.

Problem I have is attaching the head to the top car. Sailmaker provided a headboard with 2 holes one for halyard other for car pin. Top diagonal batten tension and a poor alignment of holes means it a 3 man job to fit the pin with one guy having to climb part way up the mast.

The sailmaker (quantum) seems unable to provide a working solution but i see plenty of working possibilities many using dyneema to allow the head to detach from the mast.

So what are people using and how happy are they with it?

thanks

[Takamoana]

We had the same problem on our Lipari, but have rigged a strop to automatically bring the headboard to the car as the sail is hoisted. We copied the method described in Lagoon owners manuals and had a stainless ring sewn about 2 metres below the headboard. Have had the same length of polyester covered dyneema for the last 4 years with no visible wear. Works well for us.

[Barra]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I had a strop put on when the headboard was basically impossible to attach but the sail has to be cut to work with it - the leech was way too loose as the head sat an extra inch or so off the mast. this made a surprising difference with ridiculous flogging.

Mine was attached to the second batten car and it did stick a bit so maybe the ring helps alleviate that and makes for a smoother motion. Quantum guy says its a bad solution cos the dyneema will stretch but even in the unlikely event it does it can always be adjusted right?

Good to get a real world answer. This guy doesnt seem to know what hes talking about.

[Takamoana]

Once the sail is up, there is not a lot of strain on the dyneema, I spliced an eye and used a lashing to enable me to adjust the length but, to date, have not noticed any appreciable stretch. When I first tried the idea, I attached the strop to a lower batten but found it less than perfect. Having the ring sewn on improved it immensely.

[davecalvert]

Here is a more fancy option. Works well but, pricey.
Doyle Anomaly Headboard

[Barra]

Thanks Dave I was hoping you would chime in!

That options around half the price of the sails so out of the question. What do you think about the dyneema strop? Simple and seems to work as long as the sail is cut for it...

[davecalvert]

Hi Barra,
Yes, I agree, the Doyle Headboard is too expensive.
The Lagoon system seems to work fine. I just have no personal experience with this.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...in-108743.html

I normally do not recommend square top mains for cruisers. I prefer the "Elliptical head" mains. These can have the same sail area of a square top main but, use 2 or 3 battens close together, to support the wide upper roach, but all parallel to the boom for easy stacking.

[PaulinOz]

This is the Lagoon solution it works very well.