My sailmaker got it wrong ... views?

[davejanderson]

The sailmaker applied the wrong measurement when making up the chute. She made the length from the Top to the Tack based on the mast height rather than to the positon it has to hoisted too. ie The sail length is too long. Before we knew that she had made an error we attached the clew to the downhaul fitting thinking it may just have been labelled wrong. It fitted perfectly and set beautifully. I was concerned though that the sail was obviously designed that shape for a reason so I called her back to the boat for comment. The sailmaker unreservedly admitted her error and is prepared to either make a new sail or apply a discount. She says there should really be no difference but that the sail is simply bigger than it should be. She obviously does not wish to make up a new sail and would have to re-sell the one she supplied to us. I lean more towards keeping it but this based on how stunning the thing flies & how the boat moves with it up.
Am I being silly accepting this sail ?

Is there any reason that the sail would prove to be less efficient/more difficult to control or any other reason because of this error.

It is very easy to control & to snuff out in the conditions i have sailed in. Would LOVE to have it up in 15 knts which is the max reccomended by the manufacturer.

I would appreciate your guidance forum users...

 

[Boatman]

If you love the way it flys and the boat loves it, why change just take the discount and remember that too much wind could be a problem, depends really on how strong the crew is and will the rigging take the extra strain.

 

[Guest]

If you can live with it ..... then come to compromise with sailmaker - better price for you ... less loss for them ....

But don't let on that you like the sail !!!!

 

[Evadne]

Regardless of what you asked for, if you like what you have then that is what you should keep. I'd take the discount because (a) if you ever race you may need to get a "proper" sized spinnaker made and (b) if it all gets too hairy in an F3 or above then you'll seriously be thinking of a "heavy weather" spinnaker.

 

[moondancer]

Keep it if you like it. But...If it is too long you wont be able to harden it up when reaching. Have you tried it at different wind angles?

 

[davidpbo]

Sounds like the sailmaker is a small business. If you like the sail and it works for you I would try not to be too hard on them but only if you are pleased with the product.

 

[john_morris_uk]

If it sets properly, one might argue that the only reason there might be a 'correct' measurement is to comply with class rules.

What sort of boat is it and how much longer is 'too long'?

 

[William_H]

Hi Brian "harden up when Reaching" you must pull the sheet harder and the pole onto or nearly onto the forestay but on most spinnackers you must let the pole rise to free up the luff for reaching. You pull it down tight for running.
When you pull it down tight you put a lot of camber near the luff (almost a hook) which boxes in the wind when running but makes the luff very susceptible to luffing. if the luff is freed by raising the pole the camber moves back to near themiddle of the spin and the luff area becomes quite flat making it less susceptible to luffing.

So I reckon an extra long spin would be good for reaching and for running the pole should be pulled as low as poss. Havig said that a spin is either too big too small or just right depending on wind strength. I think if I had a choice I would er on the smaller side unless you can afford another strong wind spin. good luck olewill

 

[moondancer]

I thought from reading his post that the sail is a cruising chute or asymmetric.

brian

 

[William_H]

Thanks Brian maybe you are right. Is this a language barrier thing. Is a chute a cruising type or a spinnacker? Please excuse my old hobby horse theme. olewill