What features when asking for a quote for a new Mainsail?

[FullCircle]

Just been thinking that the standard issue Elvstrom teabag main on the Jen needs replacing sometime soon.

What does the panel request from ppotential sailmakers in the way of features and techniques when specifying a new main.
Does not matter if you are racing or cruising, I am trying to get a checklist going that I will publish for all to use. as a sort of tick sheet.

I will start with

3 reefs, each with cheek blocks sewn to the sail
Full Length battens, without the ability to slide shards of fibre glass into my hands on fot.
A foolproof method of closing the batten pockets, and a spare prodder
4 telltales in material that does not fray after a month
Luff slider blocks that dont tilt and jam, preferably infused with silicon lubricant or similar
Triple stitching, and reinforced patches in all areas with stitching to support lines of max stress
Anti Chafe Patches for the spreaders when running.

 

[Gin]

Cunningham cringle
Camber line
Leech line

 

[Twister_Ken]

'Spectacles' for reefing cringles.
Camber stripe.
Hi-vis panel at head.
Leechline that runs along the foot as well, so you don't have to actually reach up and out to get to it.
Loose footed???
If you're going fully battened, proper cars for the mast track.

 

[johnalison]

All the above.
My maker was going to provide 3 reefs but it came with 2 and an explanation that current guidlines (I think JOG) recommend 2 reefs which are deeper than the traditional ones. My 2nd reef is almost as deep as the traditional 3rd and I have to admit, suits our cruising well, giving us the option of a really deep 2nd reef without the need to re-reeve one of the lines to achieve this.

 

[fluffc]

Tan in colour (apart from flourescent high-vis patch)
Four sides
Fisherman Cut
Lots of Belly

...
...
...
...

 

[fluffc]

[ QUOTE ]
but it came with 2 and an explanation ...

[/ QUOTE ]
Either he 'forgot' the third, or was cutting corners. Bloomin salesmen!

 

[Athene V30]

Definately spectacles - had them on my new main and never know how I managed before!

 

[tross]

As them to mark 30%, 40% and 50% on the camber strips

 

[Tamarisk1]

Flattening reef?
Nice addition which may mean not needing to stick the first reef in.

 

[michael_w]

Get your sailmaker to fit an "over the top leach line". It leads from the first leach reef cringle, in and out round the second and third reefs, over the headboard and ends at the tack.

Makes adjustment a doddle, no more teetering about trying to reach the boom end, just saunter up to the mast and fiddle to your hearts' content.

Oh, and get them to make the sail out of a good cruising laminate, not soggy old dacron.

 

[Mudplugger]

Shelf foot! as well as everything else!

 

[sailorman]

+ Friedricksen batten cars
talk with Doug Seeden @ Gowen

 

[Oen]

Make sure it's not been made in anywhere starting with a 'P' or ending with 'oole'...

 

[Sailfree]

I am thinking of fitting Ball Race cars to current boat as a 43' sail gets difficult with friction even if not fully battened.

On a Jeanneau 43 I think its a sparcraft mast. Am I right in thinking that a ball race batten car with a threaded rod type of end will fit both a conventional sail and a fully battened sail.

Has anyone fittend ball race batten cars to a Jeanneau and can advise I would be grateful. Is any make substantially better than another. I want ones that slide in the existing mast slot.

I will probably get the batten cars in USA as they appear 1/2 price and sail made later, when funds permit, in UK.

Its difficult justifying to SWMBO the need to splash out large quantities of £ when the existing 3 yr old production sail is still white and looks like a sail to her!!