440: Square-Top Mainsail

[Mikromidas]

Hi all,

I need a new mainsail for a L440 and was thinking of getting a square top.

I got a quote from a sailmaker, it was a little bit more than the standard main. But the sailmaker says the square head has some serious disadvantages.

I quote:
"You should be aware that a square head mainsail will not fold into the
Stackpack unless you remove the headboard and top slide from the mast track each time you lower the sail, and re install when you raise the sail, which could be a major pain depending on the luff system."

Is there anyone here who has experienced this?

Thanks
Kjartan

[Sea Yawl Later]

I can see where that might be an issue. I have a square top on my 27 Stiletto cat, but the sail stores off the boom below decks so I don't know how it would "stack".

If your going for all out performance and want the square top, just count on modify the sail cover and go for it. I understand a 440 is quite a good sailing boat so the extra trouble might be worth it. If you were on a Prout.. I'd say... "why".

The square top creates a better aspect ratio, but it's main purpose for my boat is to be able to lift a hull easier with better control. Your "lifting moment" or primary thrust is higher on the mast, I can control lee hull lift with the main sheet much easier with it.. therefore skimming the lee hull for max speed. (I've seen 24.6 knots) Lifting a hull on a Lagoon might take more than a big sail... lol.

IMO It's pretty easy to question the use of a square top on a cruising boat.... unless you see a lot of regattas... that being said, I'd think about it seriously for my Seawind when the time comes so I'm one to talk....... lol.

In fact I think you have, as we say in the south "Flung a cravin' on me" for a square top just thinking about it.....

SYL

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Sea Yawl Later

I can see where that might be an issue. I have a square top on my 27 Stiletto cat, but the sail stores off the boom below decks so I don't know how it would "stack".

If your going for all out performance and want the square top, just count on modify the sail cover and go for it. I understand a 440 is quite a good sailing boat so the extra trouble might be worth it. If you were on a Prout.. I'd say... "why".

The square top creates a better aspect ratio, but it's main purpose for my boat is to be able to lift a hull easier with better control. Your "lifting moment" or primary thrust is higher on the mast, I can control lee hull lift with the main sheet much easier with it.. therefore skimming the lee hull for max speed. (I've seen 24.6 knots) Lifting a hull on a Lagoon might take more than a big sail... lol.

IMO It's pretty easy to question the use of a square top on a cruising boat.... unless you see a lot of regattas... that being said, I'd think about it seriously for my Seawind when the time comes so I'm one to talk....... lol.

In fact I think you have, as we say in the south "Flung a cravin' on me" for a square top just thinking about it.....

SYL

Little bit of thread drift, -but sorry,- can't resist.

Lee hull lift--with main sheet.? Pray tell how. What point of sail?

I sailed Tornados for 15 yrs, and I've nose-dived, barrel-rolled, pitch-poled, and even got clothes-pegged by Canadian national champion in U.S Nationals, But never lifted a lee hull.

[thinwater]

I've also wondered how they behve in very strong winds, deeply reefed.

We first started to see the square heads on wind surfers and skiffs, where they had the advantage of automatically dumping the leach in a puff. I too have sail performance cats for years (Prindle, Stiletto) but now have a no-backstay cruising cat and am considering a new main (PDQ). The boat is underpowered much of the time and a little kick would be nice. I'm inclined to think an intermidiate aproach makes more sence (more roach, particulary up high, but not a square head).

[Sea Yawl Later]

Lee hull... lol

Thanks for catching that.... no excuse.. just got in a hurry typing... lol

I guess I meant to say windward hull huh...¿

I can't believe I did that... no matter how hard I hide it... sometimes that redneck just won't go away.. lol

Thanks for not letting me flop around stupid too long on that one....

[Blue Stocking]

Now I'm Disappointed I was planning on showing my mates a thing or two this afternoon.

[mikefp60]

Blue Stocking,

More thread drift here but a question for you...

nose-dived, barrel-rolled, pitch-poled, Those I get. Even done couple of them on Hobies. But what is clothes-pegged by Canadian national champion in U.S Nationals. ??

[Blue Stocking]

Doing the wire on Jerry Houlton-built, West system Tornado.
Other boat hard on the wind, on starboard. Flying starboard hull.
We where running well to his leeward.
He was blinded by his main, bore off onto us. No place for us to go.
Hit us head on, his forward beam, thru our port hull stem, horizontal for about 2 feet, back to our forestay bridle chainplate bulkhead. Both boat stayed afloat. 15 g 20kn, nice mess.
Racing--what can you say.

[Abaco]

Another approach would be to devise a "quick pin" system that would enable you to disconnect the head of the main from the headboard leaving the headboard on the track. Then the main should fold flat with the rest of the sail.

[careka]

Originally Posted by Mikromidas

Hi all,

I need a new mainsail for a L440 and was thinking of getting a square top.

I got a quote from a sailmaker, it was a little bit more than the standard main. But the sailmaker says the square head has some serious disadvantages.

I quote:
"You should be aware that a square head mainsail will not fold into the
Stackpack unless you remove the headboard and top slide from the mast track each time you lower the sail, and re install when you raise the sail, which could be a major pain depending on the luff system."

Is there anyone here who has experienced this?

Thanks
Kjartan

Kjartan, you must be useing the wrong sailmaker.
I have it 380, the new 400 has it ,421, 450, just get him to make the same system as "Incidens" use when new Lagoons gets.
My main folds nicely in the stackpack.

Geir Ove