Foam luff strips-pros and cons?

jerrytug

jerrytug

N/A
Joined
31 May 2006
Messages
3,771
Location
Lorient
Visit site
Asking advice please...my genoa is in the loft having a bit cut off the top (slightly too long luff) and a new UV strip. The boat is a Hurley 24/70 which has a 1970's IOR rating influenced sail plan with a high aspect ratio main and a mega size genny. Which means a short- or single-handed sailor nearly always goes about his business with rolls in it. Do foam luffs offer a worthwhile advantage to me? Is the genny much fatter when furled? Would it be delicate or vulnerable in any way? Would it stress my tired plastimo r-reefing? Thanks for your experiences Jerry
 
Jerry

It does not have to be a specially shaped piece of foam though.

Mine for example has ropes sewn in just behind the luff to achieve a similar effect. Imagine one piece sewn in that reaches along the middle 80% of the luff, another parallel (and behind it) covering the mid 60% and a third shorter piece covering the mid 40%'ish.

When furled it is not noticeable.. when fully unfurled it is not noticeable.. In fact at any point in between, these ropes along the luff are not noticeable but the sail shape must be better.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
Just a suggestion:

Have you considered just getting a smaller headsail. May mean you are more likely to have to motor in light airs but the advantage is to use the full headsail more often.
 
I have a new cruising laminate No 2 sail from China. Its superb. I specified a rope padding luff and expected it to be sewn in and was quite surprised to see that its actually more like a flap sewn on one side of the sail about 2 inches back from the luff. It means that it can be easily removed but it works perfectly. The rope is probably 14mm and combined with the cruising laminate and its radial construction seemed a bit fat when rolled up the first couple of times. Now its fine.
 
You will see improved shape when you have 2 or 3 rolls in, which is quite common on a rig like yours, but still have the option of using the full sail when off the wind. No real downside.
 
Get a rope padded luff. Even better than the foam sort as it doesn't get badly crushed as the sail furls.
 
Seajet said:
You could always - gasp - change to a slightly smaller more efficient sail if it's blowing a bit ?

That is not considering cost of course...
Click to expand...
How? It's *roller* reefing,the luff rope has to be gently fed up a slot. Imagine singlehanded,wind getting up...no way. Thanks for input.
 
I used to sail with a chap who had 2 genies and would put up whichever seemed better before setting off. Half the time he had the wrong sail up. It is possible, but not my cup of tea.

I remember getting my first sail with a padded luff. It was like buying a new boat; the difference was so great. For the first time, I could point decently when reefed and maintain a decent shaped sail.
 
johnalison said:
I used to sail with a chap who had 2 genies and would put up whichever seemed better before setting off. Half the time he had the wrong sail up. It is possible, but not my cup of tea.

I remember getting my first sail with a padded luff. It was like buying a new boat; the difference was so great. For the first time, I could point decently when reefed and maintain a decent shaped sail.
Click to expand...
Thanks I am looking forward to it!
 
You are re-cutting an old sail so will not get such a huge benefit. But it will be more than noticeable.

And. There's a hidden benefit to a carefully shaped foam luff.

It's thicker, and fluid dynamics like a thicker leading edge.

Which is why racing rules forbid double luff sails.

So you get a better unfurled sail and a way better part-furled sail.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top