I have an opportunity to upgrade my
mainsail with a newer, better built
mainsail at a reasonable cost. My
boat is equipped with a Dutchman (Dutchmar) sail flaking system and my
current sail has the Dutchman provided disk-like, plastic, "grommets". There are about twenty of these lined up in two rows parallel to the track slides and in lined with the two drop lines.
The new sail will not be equipped with these "grommets". The Dutchman-made grommets cost $15 each, which will add a lot of cost to the
price of the new sail.
Having used this system for many years, and being very familiar with its operation, I see no reason why 1/2" stainless, plain grommets with some
adhesive sail tape added for backing, wouldn't
work as well (or even better) than the expensive plastic, Dutchman provided "grommets".
Is there something I am missing or is this a reasonable alternative for mainsail handling?