sailorman
Well-known member
are you using an East Coast Sailmaker
What type of mainsail system to select
- Thread starter Lozzer
- Start date
are you using an East Coast Sailmaker
Lozzer
Member
The options available are
Dolphin Sails (East Coast)
North Sails
I know DS from my old days of racing in the Harwich series. North I spoke to today and liked the salesman. Had some interesting ideas for sail plan that were not very far from my own. I have been away from sailing for 10 years whilst working on "gin palaces". Current boss wants to go blue water sailing so getting back into it fast....
I think our sailmaker will be decided on quality of product and global support as the yacht will travel.
Dolphin Sails (East Coast)
North Sails
I know DS from my old days of racing in the Harwich series. North I spoke to today and liked the salesman. Had some interesting ideas for sail plan that were not very far from my own. I have been away from sailing for 10 years whilst working on "gin palaces". Current boss wants to go blue water sailing so getting back into it fast....
I think our sailmaker will be decided on quality of product and global support as the yacht will travel.
johnphilip
Well-known member
I prepared a long and carefully worded response which I have now deleted. I apologise but I still hold the view I stated.
Slothinabox
New member
Our boss has an 885 in build. He's gone for Oceanfurl in boom with North sails.
From the experience of my captain, it seems that in boom has come a long way from the early systems, they are a lot more reliable than they were. The vang control is hydraulic I think with indicator lights to show when the boom is at the correct angle.
With regards to reefing, I heard of a 40 odd meter with a 'flattening reef'. Basically it took all the shape out of the sail to depower it completely. From there it was two deep reefs.
Then again if you're going to be putting the miles in, traditional slab reefing is the more reliable system. And the other Oysters I've seen with it certainly stow the lazy jacks forward when not in use.
From the experience of my captain, it seems that in boom has come a long way from the early systems, they are a lot more reliable than they were. The vang control is hydraulic I think with indicator lights to show when the boom is at the correct angle.
With regards to reefing, I heard of a 40 odd meter with a 'flattening reef'. Basically it took all the shape out of the sail to depower it completely. From there it was two deep reefs.
Then again if you're going to be putting the miles in, traditional slab reefing is the more reliable system. And the other Oysters I've seen with it certainly stow the lazy jacks forward when not in use.
Lozzer
Member
The 885 looks like a lovely boat. My deckhand from last year is mate on Clare which I think is 88502. She is very happy with it.
The write up on Oceanfurl sounds good but I just wonder how you get it fixed in the middle of the Pacific if something goes wrong. Talking to North sails they are happy either way with caveat that you cannot deep reef main. NS also said that it is vitally important to get boom angle right, wrong and you can get problems. I have to do more research, list out pros and cons based on real experience.
When do you get the 885? I went over a couple in Southampton earlier this year when visiting the manufacturing plant.
The write up on Oceanfurl sounds good but I just wonder how you get it fixed in the middle of the Pacific if something goes wrong. Talking to North sails they are happy either way with caveat that you cannot deep reef main. NS also said that it is vitally important to get boom angle right, wrong and you can get problems. I have to do more research, list out pros and cons based on real experience.
When do you get the 885? I went over a couple in Southampton earlier this year when visiting the manufacturing plant.
Slothinabox
New member
You must be talking about Abby! I know her well, small world.
I thought the same thing about the in mast furling we have, and while we haven't been anywhere as exciting as the pacific, (one day!) the worst we have had is a broken button and a creaky gooseneck. As with the in mast systems, I suppose the spar makers have had a lot of time now to iron out all the trouble.
The new boat gets handed over in November but I won't be around. stepping off this boat in about a month after 2 years. When is your handover date?
I thought the same thing about the in mast furling we have, and while we haven't been anywhere as exciting as the pacific, (one day!) the worst we have had is a broken button and a creaky gooseneck. As with the in mast systems, I suppose the spar makers have had a lot of time now to iron out all the trouble.
The new boat gets handed over in November but I won't be around. stepping off this boat in about a month after 2 years. When is your handover date?
Lozzer
Member
Fortunately we both live in societies where we are able to have and broadcast our opinions.. We can also disagree which is nice.
Now back to my original point, what do you now about the pros and cons of Oceanfurl v slab
ProMariner
Active member
When folk say 'teething problems' with these systems, to 'find the tolerances', they mean 'a bunch of snapped battens, poking holes out the side of the batten pockets, and the whole thing back to the sailmakers for a week/month, for X grand'. Not a problem for stooging about the med and carribean, more hassle in the back of beyond.
When folk say 'better have the weight of sail and system down at deck level, when reefed/stowed', they seem oblivious to the harm having all that weight in a moving spar, wanging about at deck level, means always having gybe preventers rigged and trimmed, or putting up with some truly awful shock loads.
In boom, the only system around that makes in mast look sensible/effective.
I am still trying to think of any con's with slab reefing with stack pack and harken luff cars. I suppose chafe is the only one I can think of, careful monitoring usually minimises the damage, and failures due to chafe are very rarely game enders.
I know which I would rather have, when not within a 500 miles of Hamble/Antibes/Newport or English Harbour. Have fun with the build process, less is more.
When folk say 'better have the weight of sail and system down at deck level, when reefed/stowed', they seem oblivious to the harm having all that weight in a moving spar, wanging about at deck level, means always having gybe preventers rigged and trimmed, or putting up with some truly awful shock loads.
In boom, the only system around that makes in mast look sensible/effective.
I am still trying to think of any con's with slab reefing with stack pack and harken luff cars. I suppose chafe is the only one I can think of, careful monitoring usually minimises the damage, and failures due to chafe are very rarely game enders.
I know which I would rather have, when not within a 500 miles of Hamble/Antibes/Newport or English Harbour. Have fun with the build process, less is more.
