small mainsail

[colin the cab]

I should briefly explain Im new to sailing and lack experience, although Im well read and full of theory... Ive spent a year renovating, refitting a little 26ft bilge keeled Colvic Searider 74 vintage. This is budget sailing Im afraid, but I love it. Anyway, ive just purchased a near new condition fully battened main off ebay. It is one foot shorter in luff( 24ft against 25ft )than my original,and about 6inches shorter in the foot, therefore wont reach the masthead. I am hoping that it will drive her better than my existing old and tired main which looks like a soggy blanket, Iam willing to accept the look so to speak! Do you think Ive done the right thing?
ps. Ive just joined this great forum, forgive me if this is in the wrong thread. regards C

[boatsail]

Welcome....not sure the right answer, but if I had the same two choices you had....baggy blown sail or new smaller....I would have done the same as you

[boatman61]

Hi Colin... Welcome to CF.
Pity you don't have a boom height adjuster... or do you and not realise it..
Look on the bright side... the fore is the driving sail... and you don't have to reef the main as early...

[four winds]

My baggy-ass-rag of a mainsail has a better shape with the first reef set.

So my boat is faster reefed than with full main.

[gjordan]

If it is a fully battened main it may have more roach than the original sail, so it might not be very much less sail area. Give it a go. You may end up moving any reefing hardware so that it sets well when reefed. Good Luck with it.____Grant.

[colin the cab]

Originally Posted by four winds

My baggy-ass-rag of a mainsail has a better shape with the first reef set.

So my boat is faster reefed than with full main.

That reminds me of an old bike I had that went faster in third than it would in fourth.. lifes rich tapestry and all that.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by colin the cab

(...) Do you think Ive done the right thing?
(...)

Well, just hoist it and go on a ride - you will see if it drives better or worse than the old sail.

It looks like you traded some sail area for some sail shape. Most of the time and within some limits such a deal works fine.

And do not worry about 'budget sailing' - sailing is all about sailing the boat, not about how much she costs!

b.

[Kalinka1]

In this case size doesn't matter! We have two mains a 3 year old North full Batten loose footed and a 35 year old? Charlie Smith Roachless that is about 2/3 the size of the North. Took the piece of crap North off and used the Smith for an Atlantic crossing last summer. Boat loved it.