Dutch gaff sail design

[dewshi]

You need to secure the clew eye down to the boom with a rope strop That way it will stop the boom dropping down and get the angle of the foot along the boom line correct .

@wilkinsonsails Got it! Thx. See pics...

I think the bunches in the sail at the clew are because it's old. They are there even when the sail is laid out on the ground.

Also I've now scrapped the throat halyard cable winch, and put both throat and peak on 2:1 purchase blocks, so they operate in tandem AND I can get decent tension in the peak.

I've tweaked the bridle too. Got rid of the knots as @AntarcticPilot advised (actually not needed). Mainsail is looking A LOT better.

BUT I have a question about lacing the head to the gaff: curiously, the curve of the sail doesn't fit the groove cut into the side of the gaff boom that snugly. The first eye needs to be a little loose, otherwise it pleats like a curtain in that corner. I hope I've laced the eye just below the throat to the attachment point on the gaff boom correctly? I assume this is taking the main tension down the luff. Comments welcome

 

[wilkinsonsails]

It’s quite common to let the throat of the sail sit away from the gaff and mast ,allowing a bit of a drift between the spars .Looking a lot better now .Well done ,you going sailing soon ?

 

[GrandadPig]

Not qualified to add any meaningful comments but just wanted to say, what a lovely looking boat. I have enjoyed following OP’s progress sorting the rigging of the main. Thanks.

 

[LittleSister]

Could the boom not be kept fully up while easing the outhaul by either a strop or hoop around the boom and attached to the outhaul adjacent to the clew

You need to secure the clew eye down to the boom with a rope strop That way it will stop the boom dropping down and get the angle of the foot along the boom line correct .

@wilkinsonsails Got it! Thx. See pics...

I've been Lakesailored!

 

[dewshi]

I've been Lakesailored!

@LittleSister I fear it may be a double whammy :--//

A friend came round to look at the boat and said the same thing. So I changed it. Sorry I didn't register your suggestion at the time :[[ 00 ^^