Foam Luff - Good Stuff ?

[delmarrey]

Below is a picture of my 3 foam strips as I'm winged out. The sailmakers tells me that the foam compresses allowing the sail to take shape w/o creating so many/much wrinkles and creating a better shape for a reefed sail. As well it takes some of the shock stress off of the luff tape when reefed.

The only down fall I have found is it is a bit hard to start the roll up but once I get a couple turns it gets easier. A larger drum would help. But other then that I have no other problems with the design.

FYI-The foam strips do have to be on the inside of the roll so be sure the sailmaker knows which direction the furling goes.


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[Littlefoot]

Thanks folks.
Got the "Foam Luff Stuff" figured out.
Now if I could just find a good used sail, I'll be all set.
I assume this is pretty new technology eh? Probably won't find any used sails with this technology availabe right?

And since I'm on the subject, perhaps we could continue this thread.......

Anybody know of any on-line forums or websites that have used sails ""For Sale" "By Owners"?"


I really don't want to drop 1000 bucks at "SailBaconTraders" nor have I had any luck searching "CraigseBay"


Thoughts - Comments.....

For Sale
Genoa Kevlar 150 - 155
Luff 43.4
Leech 42.1
Foot 23.6

Would like to buy - or trade for above
Roller Furling #6
Jib (Foil)
Luff 40 - 41
Foot - 12 - 16

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Littlefoot

Thanks folks.
Got the "Foam Luff Stuff" figured out.
Now if I could just find a good used sail, I'll be all set.
I assume this is pretty new technology eh? Probably won't find any used sails with this technology availabe right?


]

This "new technology" has been around as long as roller furling so you might get lucky. If you get a used sail without a foam luff it will not be cheap to add one and don't forget the UV strip! It might be cheaper to get a new sail. I just replaced the UV strip on the 135 on my CS36M and that cost close to $500.

[rtbates]

Originally Posted by Littlefoot

Luff Pads - Technically Speaking - I don't get it.

Does anybody have a picture of these things, I'm in the market for a used jib sail (Luff = 40-41 , Ft.= 12 - 16) and I need one that will furl well.

I've heard of these foam luffs but don't understand the technical aspects.
A. How they work
B. Where exactly is this "foam" located on the sail itself - Leading edge ?etc. etc.

I assume the foam intorduces some amount of stretch (making the sail shape better???) as the sail is rolled up???

Help me understand.

They make the luff fatter, so when the sail is rolled around it takes in more sail with each revolution.

Like rolling a rug up around a barrel as opposed to a dowel. THE PRECEEDING STAEMENT IS A BIG EXAGGERATION FOR EFFECT.

[speciald@ocens.]

Probably a good idea on sails over 120%.