Sailmaking standards

[Charlie]

I'm in the market for a new mainsail. My first thought is to go to Doyle who made my sail last. I don't know how many rows of stitching they had but it was a horizontal dacron sail about 8 to 10 oz for a 41 foot boat. They have lasted 22 years including sailing from BC to La Paz and back to SF.

I went to put the main away last week and my hand went through the leach. Not worth repairing the leach again.

I would like to go with fully battened sails.

I like the idea of going with dacron for its simplicity.

Does anyone have a set of build standards for sails so that we can be sure to compare apples to apples as I shop for the best value.

[SailsWithFists]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Does anyone have a set of build standards for sails ...

There is really no such thing. Different sailmakers will specify different cloths, weights, cuts, etc., based on their experiences and customer feedback. It is best to tell the sailmaker what you want to accomplish and let them give you options from which to choose.

[puffcard]

Talk to the sailmarkers, about your plans for your boat. They all will have recommendations and most will be very good. Better than advice from this forum. There's is a ton of personal preference with sails, and a ton of options...more than anchors. For my 37'er, 2 + 2, with two reefs, triple stitched, with draft lines, ensign, cuttingham 14" up and loose footed, out of 8-9oz quality dacron.

[Charlie]

I ended up going with Hood sails a 7.7 Vektron with 2 reefs triple stitched and glued draft lines 5 full battens. One thing I really liked is that the leach line is running over the head board to the tack. This will give me the ability to control the leach line from the cockpit.

[puffcard]

Good deal. New sails sprouts wing on a sailboat.

[Jim Cate]

This will give me the ability to control the leach line from the cockpit.

I wouldn't advise adding this line to the mess in the cockpit, Charlie. With a nice new sail, you likely will not be adjusting it very much... leave it at the gooseneck IMO.

Jim

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I wouldn't advise adding this line to the mess in the cockpit, Charlie. With a nice new sail, you likely will not be adjusting it very much... leave it at the gooseneck IMO.

Jim

I think what I will have them do is to run the line long. I can run it thru a bullet block at the base of the mast and then thru the halyard organizer and put it on an existing cleat. If I don't like it I can always cut it shorter.

[psk125]

Originally Posted by Charlie

I think what I will have them do is to run the line long. I can run it thru a bullet block at the base of the mast and then thru the halyard organizer and put it on an existing cleat. If I don't like it I can always cut it shorter.

As JimCate suggests, if you need to adjust your leech line that much something is wrong with the sail. It might need re-cutting? Re-cutting a new sail is somewhat redundant.