Baggy Foresail

[mica]

Has anyone fitted those Foam Luff Strips that can be sewn into your foresail to take out the bagginess when reefed?

We are seriously considering having it done, but one sailmaker told us that he would only put them on fairly new sails as it would create a weakness where it is sewn onto an older sail. Whereas the outfit that fit them say it shouldn't cause such problems.

Also how do they roll up with a bulge in the middle? Do they create gaps for rain to get into the rolled sail and leave the sacrificial strip looking like a barber's pole?

Would be very interested to hear if anyone has tried them and do they really improve the set of a reefed foresail. Is it worth the money?

MICA

 

[Solwaycruiser]

I have a rope luff added to a 150% genoa of 480ft2. Advice I was given was that rope was easier and cheaper to add than foam and didn't hold moisture the same so therefore less problem with mildew. Don't know about letting water in but one thing to watch for is that the UV strip is wide enough to cover the larger diameter of the rolled sail. My one only covers if I roll it carefully and it was renewed at the same time as well. Previously my sail was useless if rolled, it had a masive bag in the middle, but now it has been transformed compared with before and is now much flatter and usable. Hope this helps.

 

[Sammy]

I had Sailsdirect.com put a rope luff in for me as well, better than foam. Does not retain moisture Sail stays a much better shape wish I had put it in all my sails.
Chris

 

[Guest]

38ft boat, sails ten years old. We put three thinner foam strips at the luff, rather than one big one, and it works very well. The foam will not absorb moisture if it is closed cell, but you may get some moisture between the foam and the sail. Rope will absorb moisture and will also have it between the rope and the sail material. The sail maker who did ours used a stickey tape to hold it all together whilst he stitched it. This discoloured later and had to be sent back to have it fixed. It works well for us, I'd have it done again.

 

[charles_reed]

Yes, I have them in as standard on all my roller headsails.

You need two inserted, one behind the other - rope is inadequate as it doesn't taper to take extra draught out of the centre of the sail.

Most sailmakers put in too little foam, it always gets compressed when you reef the sail in a blow.

It is essential it is closed cell foam.

I suspect the sailmaker didn't fancy the job (or your sail was old and stretched) reading the apocryphal answer you were given.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Lateral thinking

Or fit an inner forestay (always a useful back-up anyway) and have a hanked number three made. Then when the genoa gets too unspeakable, it can be completely rolled and a purpose built heavy air sail set.