How much gap between the tack of the sail and the boom?

[patrickza]

Sail was just delivered, and while I'm a novice, I feel like there's too much space between the bottom of the sail and the boom. What do you think?

 

[johnalison]

I can't quite see from the photo what is holding the tack down. It looks as if there is a ring on the casting behind what I take to be the old furling ring to which I would expect the tack to be attached, probably with a shackle. You have plenty of free length on the clew outhaul to accommodate the change in position.

 

[patrickza]

For the photo nothing, but when holding it down there's still a gap of around 25cm or so. Then also on the top of the sail, is that the right position or should there be less gap there too?

 

[Hermit]

I think if you attached the tack and put some tension on the halyard it wouldn't look quite as bad but it is possibly a bit shorter in the luff that it needs to be. Who measured it - you or the sailmaker? If the sailmaker, you have some recourse if you wish, if you measured, does it match the length you specified?

 

[patrickza]

Sailmaker measured it fortunately, waiting to see what they say.

 

[RivalRedwing]

what's the boat?

 

[lustyd]

I'd say the topping lift needs letting off first, bring the sail down at the tack and then tension the foot. Right now the boom is angled up so causing it to look wrong

 

[Biggles Wader]

From the photo angle it looks as if the sail is a bit short on all dimensions. The head isnt at the top of the mast, the tack isnt snug to the gooseneck and the clew isnt near the end of the boom. Or is it meant to be like that?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

From the photo angle it looks as if the sail is a bit short on all dimensions. The head isnt at the top of the mast, the tack isnt snug to the gooseneck and the clew isnt near the end of the boom. Or is it meant to be like that?

My thoughts too.

 

[PabloPicasso]

See if you can find a way to attach the tack lower down? Maybe a strop or shackle?

A closer up pic of the tack area would aid us in advising.

 

[RivalRedwing]

From the photo angle it looks as if the sail is a bit short on all dimensions. The head isnt at the top of the mast, the tack isnt snug to the gooseneck and the clew isnt near the end of the boom. Or is it meant to be like that?

no sign of black bands either which would help with the expected location

 

[RunAgroundHard]

It looks like it is cut for boom roller furling and not slab reefing. The higher tack on a roller furler allows the boom not to droop when rolled because of the roach. If the tack and clew are the same elevation, the boom drops at the clew when rolled.

You need to talk to the sail maker.

 

[Boathook]

Fit the tack, haul up reasonably tight and release topping lift. See what it looks like then. The main is loose footed so will have a different shape compared with one fitted to the boom.

 

[garymalmgren]

Take the new sail off and lay it on the ground over the old sail.
that should clear things up a bit.
Looks a little small from here.


gary

 

[patrickza]

I'd say the topping lift needs letting off first, bring the sail down at the tack and then tension the foot. Right now the boom is angled up so causing it to look wrong

Well spotted, I think you're right, let me try that first and take some more pics.

From the photo angle it looks as if the sail is a bit short on all dimensions. The head isnt at the top of the mast, the tack isnt snug to the gooseneck and the clew isnt near the end of the boom. Or is it meant to be like that?

Definitely not meant to be like that, but let me get the new shots and then see. Sailmaker came to the boat to measure.

what's the boat?

Catalac 9M, but I removed the roller furling in place of a slab reefed sail.

no sign of black bands either which would help with the expected location

Sorry, I don't actually know what those are, could you tell me more please.

 

[Refueler]

I'd say the topping lift needs letting off first, bring the sail down at the tack and then tension the foot. Right now the boom is angled up so causing it to look wrong

Yep ..

Topping lift is lifting boom
Sail is Loose footed so should at mid point often sit on or at side of boom
Sail is hoisted too high - causing too great a gap at tack.

 

[lustyd]

Sorry, I don't actually know what those are, could you tell me more please.

Assume this is the black tape on the mast indicating designed height of boom?

 

[RivalRedwing]

My last two boats have had a turn of black tape (or remnants of it) at the top of the mast and the end of the boom signifying the points at which the sail should end.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Black bands at mast head and tack end are usually for one design ratings, where the sail should not be hoisted above or hauled below the bands. The objective is to ensure consistent luff dimensions across a fleet.

They are not relevant to the OPs issue.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Must admit I never regarde the Rival 32 or 34 as such, you learn something new every day