Trouble Raising the Main

[Tomfoolery]

Beene and John run their kites and say it really makes the M boat go fast. They are also in the Pacific, so they get to take advantage of a steady breeze in the afternoon too.

That's beene (Geoff, on Pegasus) in front of me (Tomfoolery, on the back of the helm seat), heading for the CN Tower on Lake Ontario, at a Mad Men of Ontario Rendezvous a couple of years ago. The pic was taken by Ross and Gabe (Crikey), and Highlander (John) was there, but having some sort of trouble with his boat. But he did meet up with us at the Toronto Island for an overnight. I don't think Rocky (Dreamer) was there for that one until I was leaving, but I did get to sail and hang with him last year (good times - gotta do that yet again). And Cat (StarSpun), who I haven't seen here in a while.

[BOAT]

Sorry, I was saying that they both have M boats, not that they were both in the Pacific, I got the words messed up. (Thus the mention about the better sailors out east). Beene and John are in Canada I think, but they have both mentioned to me in posts that I can get a lot more downwind speed out of 'boat' with a spinnaker.

I had my brain stuck on Pacific Breeze - I guess I am looking forward to summer already.

Anyways, I have been told by several sources that the M boat takes to the kite very well - I really need to get one.

[Neo]

With they way the wrinkles are the halyard was not to tight. If you can't stretch out the rope just cut it loose at the bottom. To make it look better.

That's the plan Ray

Will be back to you guys in a few days.

[grady]

With they way the wrinkles are the halyard was not to tight. If you can't stretch out the rope just cut it loose at the bottom. To make it look better.

That's the plan Ray

Will be back to you guys in a few days.

You should be able to remove the wrinkles. However it does look blown out, you will not be able to flatten the sail in higher winds to depower it. The good news is you can have just as much fun sailing around with an old sail as you can with a new one.

[Neo]

The good news is you can have just as much fun sailing around with an old sail as you can with a new one.

This is the kind stuff I like ... I'm not a Serious Sailer so fixing it up is far more fun that "forking it out"

Tom, My Main is old but the material looks in good condition .... And I'm thinking photo's make it look worse than it actually is.

It's 105 degF here at the moment ... I won't be raising the Mast (to test the Main) today

[dlandersson]

Dude!!! Have I got tons of fun for you!!!

The good news is you can have just as much fun sailing around with an old sail as you can with a new one.

This is the kind stuff I like ... I'm not a Serious Sailer so fixing it up is far more fun that "forking it out"

Tom, My Main is old but the material looks in good condition .... And I'm thinking photo's make it look worse than it actually is.

It's 105 degF here at the moment ... I won't be raising the Mast (to test the Main) today

[Neo]

Dude!!! Have I got tons of fun for you!!!

Can't wait

The weather has turned ... We had a storm last night, lost power at home and now it's raining "cats and dogs".... STILL wont be raising that main for a few days yet.

[Neo]

Ok... Take 2!

This Album http://goo.gl/78u4vF shows the latest pictures of my Main.
After stretching the bolt rope, the Main went up a little higher, but not by much .... I don't think you can stretch the bolt rope sufficiently, while it's secured in the Main, to compensate for years of shrinking. .... and in one photo you can see the bolt rope curing (under tension) just above the Tack.
These pictures were taken after I put a block on the base of the mast and winched the haylard very tight. The main looks about 6" from the top (base of the top block) but the amount of effort I used to get it there is impractical (IMO). So I have already cut the stitching on the bolt rope and I'm awaiting my next opportunity to raise my Main up the mast.

One way other the other I think this Main is looking much better ... but I'll consider doing a few more mods (like a Cunningham that works!) too

All the best.
Neo

[Don T]

Hello,
It looks to me like your tack is too high and too far forward. Same problem someone else had with their main sail.

Don

[grady]

Looks better. With the creases in the main that direction there is to much halyard tension. However it is hard to trim a sail with no pressure on it. I would quit worrying about it until you get out and use it. Just remember the harder the wind blows the more you have to pull on the halyard and out haul.

[Neo]

Just remember the harder the wind blows the more you have to pull on the halyard and out haul.

Good tip ... Thanks

[FlyboyTR]

Neo,
Glad my video provided some enlightenment... I have been working with Judy B at Hyde Sails and after a lengthy conversation...they are in the process of lowering some of their sail prices for the Mac's. It saved me around $250 on the main. I think final coast was around $675.

[BOAT]

The main thing you need to keep in mind when going to a custom sail loft like Judy's is that they will more often use a thicker sail cloth when they make a custom sail for you. In 90% of all the cases this is just fine for the MAC boats and will help them point higher and it makes the sail last a LOT longer too. If you sail 90% of the time in very very light or near non existent wind conditions then a super heavy sail cloth might not be a good idea - just make sure you discuss the thickness of the sail cloth with your loft and tell them where you sail.

If your going to put a really heavy sail cloth on a MAC 26 I strongly recommend a loose footed main so you can get some shape out of the sail in light winds. Just my opinion.

[FlyboyTR]

The main thing you need to keep in mind when going to a custom sail loft like Judy's is that they will more often use a thicker sail cloth when they make a custom sail for you. In 90% of all the cases this is just fine for the MAC boats and will help them point higher and it makes the sail last a LOT longer too. If you sail 90% of the time in very very light or near non existent wind conditions then a super heavy sail cloth might not be a good idea - just make sure you discuss the thickness of the sail cloth with your loft and tell them where you sail.

If your going to put a really heavy sail cloth on a MAC 26 I strongly recommend a loose footed main so you can get some shape out of the sail in light winds. Just my opinion.

Excellent points. The new one is loose footed. Mobile's 47 year average is 9.3 MPH. She and I discussed this at length. She was intent on knowing what the wind history was. It, like everything else is subject to change and it doesn't hurt me feeling to crank the "Iron Lung" (as Kathy calls it...) if the winds are a bit too light. Thanks again!

[Neo]

Hi BOAT, that's a good tip. But what weights is heavy?... 7oz or 8oz ?.... I find the original Mac sail (which I believe is 5 oz) nice and easy to handle. Does anyone do a 5oz Super Cloth?

Hi Flyboy, where did you find information on Wind averages for the past 47 years?

All the best.
Neo