Colvic springtide sails

[pjsgsy]

Hi,

I've got a Colvic Springtide. It's a 24/5ft fairly heavily built long keel sail boat. I know a few on here are acquainted, or have one also. I was looking for some new / spare sails as I have plans to sail much further afield once this virus thing is over. Specifically , I think I want an asymmetric spinnaker and wondered if anyone might be able to share measurements, experiences, etc? She's pretty slow in light airs, and basically looking for something to increase the speed, just a little bit when wind / direction allows. Will be adding a pole for the existing roller furling foresail, too.

Thanks!

 

[Stemar]

Welcome to the madhouse!

Your Colvic sounds a bit like my Snapdragon, though I have bilge keels. I can't help with measurements, but it's quite possible a local sailmaker will have them, though they'd probably want to measure the boat anyway.

Going to windward, I need to sail free, and in any more than the top of F5, mid 6, I need the engine to make progress to windward, likewise if I'm in any hurry. Off the wind, I've found the best solution is to sail goose-winged, with the genny polled out to windward, watching the sail to keep it filled. This works with the apparent wind as little as 25 degrees aft of the beam. Keep the boom to leeward as, even with a preventer, if you do backwind the main, you may not be able to get back on course; the genny's a bit more forgiving in my experience.

One final thought: I've seen a number of debates on whether money's better spent on a folding/feathering prop or an asymmetric sail. The general consensus seemed to be that the prop is the better investment because you benefit on any point of sail; you only benefit from the asymmetric going downhill. Maybe worth thinking about?

 

[lw395]

For a yacht of that sort of size, you might find a big dinghy asymmetric that's past its best for racing, at a sensible price.
But for a heavy long keel boat, a conventional kite might be more benefit.

 

[pjsgsy]

Thanks for suggestions. Conventional kite may be an issue for me as I sail mostly single / short handed. I need to be able to handle it on my own, and a kite, well.... I'm not sure I could in all conditions. I will continue trawling ebay

 

[pjsgsy]

So, I managed to find some drawings of my boat from the manufacturer, and spent this am in quarantine measuring things off known measurements and create a scale so I can measure bits up... As a result, I found a new sail which seems a bargain on good old ebuy! (Assuming we are all allowed to go sailing again at some point). All new stuff to me as a novice/learning sailor, but should be great fun to rig this and give it a try. Now just need to get the mast down to fix a new halyard.... (one job leads to another!)