mrming
Well-Known Member
You might have heard of the junk rigged X-99 in Scandeweigenland:
Apparently it goes like s*** off the proverbial shiny shovel downwind.
Why do cruisey types often have baggy old sails?
- Thread starter mrming
- Start date
You might have heard of the junk rigged X-99 in Scandeweigenland:
Apparently it goes like s*** off the proverbial shiny shovel downwind.
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the cognoscenti, I like that set up.. ( but perhaps sail the mast off that new boat before contemplating going Chinese?)
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
Wow nice wind catcher on a v sleek hull
I simply could not believe how I could reel off 100miles per day, day after day, dahn the tradewind ' milkrun' ( actually quite windy and some sea running ) in a short, heavily laden bilgekeeler... And reef / unreef with one eye closed so's I could be back in me bunk in two minutes ZZZing... True, true and all down to the rig...
I simply could not believe how I could reel off 100miles per day, day after day, dahn the tradewind ' milkrun' ( actually quite windy and some sea running ) in a short, heavily laden bilgekeeler... And reef / unreef with one eye closed so's I could be back in me bunk in two minutes ZZZing... True, true and all down to the rig...
Searush
Well-Known Member
Interesting that ex / current dinghy sailors (in this tiny sample) are more particular about their sails (I'm an ex dinghy sailor myself).
I must admit I'm fascinated by the junk rig although I've never sailed one. This may be due in a large part to reading Missee Lee, but also it just seems such an elegant concept.
Tranona - I do realise that, but it's winter, it's dark outside, and it's interesting to hear what other people get out of their particular approach to sailing.
Searush - careful - you could be seen to be asking for "handouts"!
Should that be a problem? Why?
I am a current dinghy sailor, but my cruiser sails cost thousands, while I can get reasonable used dinghy sails for buttons from the racing johnnies. I can recut dinghy sails & they are cheap enough that it doesn't matter much if I get it wrong. I can get a complete decent GP14 with a combi trailer for less than half the cost of either a genny or main for my cruiser & about 2/3rds the cost of the mizzen.
It's not at all about being "particular" it's entirely about having a large enough bank balance or disposable income.
mrming
Well-Known Member
Should that be a problem? Why?
Only joking - just an reference to some of the high blood pressure huffing and puffing that was going on over on the Elizmor thread with regard to sponsorship.
Fully understand your point about the cost of larger yacht sails. I have a 23 footer and a new mainsail is no joke. I could maybe afford to keep a bigger boat but I definitely couldn't afford to race one and keep it in good sails.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Not at all sure if my bargain-basement outlook is relevant here, but unquestionably, the issue is cost...it could hardly be anything else...
...I really need a new genoa, which would be about 4% of the cost for a new Osprey...but that's also about as much as I spent on the whole boat, including two elderly sets of sails.
...I really need a new genoa, which would be about 4% of the cost for a new Osprey...but that's also about as much as I spent on the whole boat, including two elderly sets of sails.
knuterikt
Well-Known Member
It's softer than Pentex.
The term "cruising laminate" is a generic one - I only know firsthand the one used on my sails.
The sails come from a Norwegian/Swedish sailmaker group and they claim that this cruising laminate is made for them.
Here is a translation of what the say on the web site http://gransegel.se/duk.html
I don't know what the upper recommended boat size is for this cloth but we have a Beneteau First 38.
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chrisb
Well-Known Member
Judging by the number of diesel cans strapped to the deck of the average cruiser I doubt if the sails ever get used . When they do the engine is usually running as well . A renowned transatlantic author recommended use of engine with sails to improve windward performance .
In Neiafu , Tonga I watched the end of season racing last autumn and witnessed the sails blow out . Presumably long past their best baggy sails coming to the end of their life after a Pacific crossing . Difficult place to get sails repaired but perhaps reflecting the state of the sails and the importance placed upon them .
In the Caribbean with perfect reaching conditions for most of the time and over two seasons on most days I could count the number of boats actually sailing on the fingers of one hand . Catamarans never seem to sail with out engine . Such is life
In Neiafu , Tonga I watched the end of season racing last autumn and witnessed the sails blow out . Presumably long past their best baggy sails coming to the end of their life after a Pacific crossing . Difficult place to get sails repaired but perhaps reflecting the state of the sails and the importance placed upon them .
In the Caribbean with perfect reaching conditions for most of the time and over two seasons on most days I could count the number of boats actually sailing on the fingers of one hand . Catamarans never seem to sail with out engine . Such is life
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
I was always very particular about the set of my main on Slippy.
Seajet
...
I was always very particular about the set of my main on Slippy.
I think I'm going to be sick !
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
We bought triple stitched Hood sails and after over 10,000 NM they hadn't changed shape, the Genoa was 5 ounce cloth, the main and mizzen 7 ounce. They weren't cheap but we did negotiate a discount. I suppose it depends how much you want to spend, we wanted them for long distance sailing so we got good value from them.
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
ProMariner
Well-Known Member
For the OP question: Because, if you've never seen a horse, a donkey's great.
Original sail may have looked better, with less outhaul, the tack pulled into the mast, allowing the head to go up to the top. Steve makes such nice sails, no excuse needed to replace. Would appreciate a shot showing new main partly furled, under load? Have never managed to keep it looking nice.
Original sail may have looked better, with less outhaul, the tack pulled into the mast, allowing the head to go up to the top. Steve makes such nice sails, no excuse needed to replace. Would appreciate a shot showing new main partly furled, under load? Have never managed to keep it looking nice.
jwilson
Well-Known Member
+100% - often on really expensive boats. Took the Studland chain car ferry last year on a sunny F4 afternoon, and of the dozen or so boats sailing by only one had nicely set sails. Upper genoa leeches not just motoring but totally flapping was the most common fault - one boat was a £200,000+ device with crisp new sails rapidly being wrecked.
Curiously enough you seem to see this a lot in the Solent and in Poole, but significantly more rarely in Falmouth or the Clyde.
rotrax
Well-Known Member
Possibly due to the difference in the population of boats in those areas?
Far more boats Darn Sarf I believe, with the potential for finding defaulters much higher.
IMHO, of course.
We had a new high cut 100% yankee last year-very pleased. The other two are the OE Sobstads, 12 years old, which are still in fair shape. Think they will keep pushing us along for a bit longer.
Hadenough
Well-Known Member
It's OK. Mr Goacher ran me a new one up.
Why does it look so much better from the port side??
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
After messing a bit I got it to a stage where I could get it to power up well. This shot before I started changing the headsail. I put a strop at the tack to raise the luff and allow the sheet to straighten the leech more. It was all a bit suck it and see.
After raising the headsail (with a temporary strop) it set better. (except of course certain people thought the luff was too slack)
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
It's trick of the light.Why does it look so much better from the port side??
Iain C
Well-Known Member
After messing a bit I got it to a stage where I could get it to power up well. This shot before I started changing the headsail. I put a strop at the tack to raise the luff and allow the sheet to straighten the leech more. It was all a bit suck it and see.
Now that's brave on a thread like this! Am I allowed to say slot too open, perhaps a little too much leach tension on the main?
doug748
Well-Known Member
The problem with big cats; well it's not a problem at all really, it's a feature. So, the thing with big cats is that they motor too well.
You are plugging along at five knots in the wrong direction - why not start the engine? Immediately you are making good 10 kts directly for your destination. Too tempting.
As for sails, I bought new ones a few years ago when my endowment mortgage (remember them?) matured. They are still in the loft, I am too mean to use them until the old ones fall into festoons. You still get there, but don't win many races. Maybe this season.