Mainsail of 2 different cloth weights...

[the_alpine]

I've been looking at used main sails lately and came across one from a roller furling main setup. It's 3.5 oz cloth for the majority of the sail but the leech is 6 oz. any one have experience with this dual cloth weight setup? Is it durable?

I would also need to convert it from roller furling to track slides... Easy enough to press in grommets to which I could attaché the slides I guess.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Jolly Roger]

I thought about having my new ‘tweenmast staysail made in two different weights, but was advised against it by more than one sailmaker. Something about the different stretch properties and rolling characteristics. I had it made in the conventional method.

[colemj]

Different weight cloth is common enough in mainsails. The heavier weight is used where the forces are greater. Different stretch usually isn't an issue because the sail is designed so that the relative forces are the same for each.

Converting a roller furled main into a standard main isn't a good deal. The RF main will be cut very flat, not have battens or a good shape. You will also need to modify/reinforce the luff in addition to attaching slides. You would be spending money for the main and the conversion and have a poorly shaped sail for your boat.

Better to keep looking for a main designed for the type of mounting/rigging you have.

Mark