DIY boat measuring for 2nd hand sail selection (Moody 33)

[Marlin]

Hi All,

I am looking to obtain replacement white sails for a Moody 33 mk2. Sadly the genoa was shredded in a recent storm after the furling gear came loose - we've learned the hard way to always take the sails off through winter, despite the boat being in regular use. The genoa is too far gone to be measurable to spec a replacement. The main is well worn so would also benefit from replacement. We can/will measure the main, but it appears undersized for the boat, so perhaps the new one ought to be larger. We believe the mast to be original but can't be sure.

Following pics hopefully illustrate this:

What does a sail maker measure on a boat to determine the required sail dimensions? Presumably there are subtleties to this and conversion factors and so on?

Does anyone have access to the standard sail dimensions for a Moody 33?

Budget, and the fact she will have to be sold within the next year, dictate that we're looking at used sails. That said, I wonder why someone would come to sell a good used sail, so perhaps it's a false economy?

Cheers,

Marlin

 

[merlin3688]

this may be usefull, more detail on the website below under helpful information IJPE.

Rig dimensions primarily used by sailmakers to know how to size a sail.

"P" is the luff length of the mainsail, measured along the aft face of the mast from the top of the boom to the highest point that the mainsail can be hoisted or black band.
"E" is the foot length of the mainsail, measured along the boom from the aft face of the mast to the outermost point on the boom to which the main can be pulled or to the black band.
"I" is measured along the front of mast from the genoa halyard to the main deck. The main deck is where the deck would be if there were no deckhouse.
"J" is the base of the foretriangle measured along the deck from the headstay pin to the front of the mast.
"JSP" is the length of the spinnaker pole or the distance from the forward end of the bowsprit (fully extended) to the front face of the mast.
"ISP" is measured from the highest spinnaker halyard to the deck.
"PY" and "EY" are, respectively the luff length and foot length of the mizzen of a yawl or ketch measured in the same way as for the mainsail.
"IY" is the measurement from the staysail halyard to the deck.
"JY" is the measurement from the staysail stay to the front face of the mast.
"LP" is the shortest distance between the clew and the luff of the genoa.

If you need to know the I J P or E of your yacht or rigging diameter of wires which is useful if you are fitting a furling gear or changing your standing rigging send me an email, I have records of most boats

 

[savageseadog]

Always better to have the sailmaker measure and do the whole job so when it goes wrong..........

 

[theoldsalt]

There are literally dozens of M33 owners registered with the Moody Owners Association. Probably any one could help you with any info required.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I'm not convinced that main is beyond redemption. With more halyard and outhaul tension it would look a lot better, it's way short of the black band. Whacking some kicker on might help too. Then it would be a case of deciding what's wrong with it, and asking a sailmaker to nip and tuck it to take out some fullness.

If you're selling, a replacement genoa would be good - the dimensions are not too critical as long as it slightly undersized, rather than slightly over. More critical is whether the luff rope will fit your furler's foil. As long as the new sail is cosmetically and mechanically sound, it'll do. Providing you price the boat well on selling, the purchaser will budget for new sails, so all you need is something to keep you going until you market it.

When you sell it, sell it ashore. That way potential buyers won't be in a position to critique the sails too much.

 

[rob2]

If you visit a few sailmakers' websites you can download measurement sheets to guide you. Some are more detailed than others, so worth looking at a selection. Beyond basic dimension are the attachment details at the tack, for example.

Rob.

 

[Skysail]

Many sailmakers have the standard measurements, or supply forms like this:

http://www.sailmakers.com/assets/images/rig_dimensions_mainsail.pdf

But I support getting the sailmaker to measure for your boat, believe me they are not all the same, and the responsibility is then not yours. They will travel, no problem.

 

[merlin3688]

I have PM you the I J P and E of the Moody 33. As has been mentioned, probably best to measure to check your Moody is the same! My records come from Kemp (Now Selden) who used to make many of the masts. Thanks Geoff for info!

 

[Marlin]

Many thanks all, particularly Merlin for the PMs with standard dims.

We have found a "very good" used genoa from an M33 so that seems a pretty safe bet, but we'll provide the measurements to check.

Ken, if the main is hauled as far as it will go it still does not reach the end of the boom or the top of the mast, hence we wonder if it's not properly sized for the boat. It is in useable condition but is well worn, as confirmed by local sail repair man (not maker) when it was in for a repair last year.

If anyone knows of something suitable for sale then please let me know.

 

[robmcg]

Many thanks all, particularly Merlin for the PMs with standard dims.

We have found a "very good" used genoa from an M33 so that seems a pretty safe bet, but we'll provide the measurements to check.

Ken, if the main is hauled as far as it will go it still does not reach the end of the boom or the top of the mast, hence we wonder if it's not properly sized for the boat. It is in useable condition but is well worn, as confirmed by local sail repair man (not maker) when it was in for a repair last year.

If anyone knows of something suitable for sale then please let me know.

It could just be that the old sail wasn't measured properly. We had a new main this year and were shocked at just how much bigger it was than the old one. It went up to the top of the mast, almost to the end of the boom and had a much bigger roach than the previous one. Hence the suggestion to get it measured by a sailmaker - most local ones will measure up for you. Incidentally, although our Westerly has the original rig, the actual sail dimensions were nowhere near the dimensions quoted by several sailmakers.