Flat sails for 26X?

[dlandersson]

Seen some stuff re: flat sails for the M - apparently provides more square feet for wind when sailing. Anyone heard of anything like that for the X?

[NiceAft]

They go under a variety of names, but if I have one for my , they should be out there for an .

I have found that that sail is great for lower wind velocities. Those are the conditions I used to sail in often. I also believe that I had to reef earlier than I had with the original main. I have seen a post on this site from someone who says they also own a flathead, and they have seen no need to reef earlier. Either way, there is more sail area higher up than with a conventional sail.

Ray

[Tomfoolery]

Seen some stuff re: flat sails for the M - apparently provides more square feet for wind when sailing. Anyone heard of anything like that for the X?

Maybe you mean 'flathead'? Or 'musclehead'? The has a backstay, and can't take a sail with a head that extends further back, unlike the , which has no backstay.

At least, that's what I'm guessing you're referring to. If it's a sail with a flatter cut, then I don't know.

[NiceAft]

What Tom says makes sense.

[sailboatmike]

I was considering a flat top main for my X, the plan was to put a extended crane on the top of the mast to allow room for the flat top.

In the end I decided that it wasnt really worth all the extra cost involved, while it would of looked awesome and given maybe a little more sail area up high on light days the cost benefit analysis really didnt come up to scratch

[DaveC426913]

I was considering a flat top main for my X, the plan was to put a extended crane on the top of the mast to allow room for the flat top.

In the end I decided that it wasnt really worth all the extra cost involved, while it would of looked awesome and given maybe a little more sail area up high on light days the cost benefit analysis really didnt come up to scratch

Now that you mention it, I recall seeing a mod like this online (don't recall if it was for a Mac). It had an extension for the topping lift. The extension was bendy, but I don't recall why.

[sailboatmike]

There is a boat at my club with a mast crane that must be the best part of 2 1/2 feet long, I presume this was done so they could fit a square top main

[Seapup]

Easiest way to get more light wind sail area on an is larger drifter & spinnaker headsails.

If you want a sail with a larger roach an option is to drop the sail partway each tack to clear the backstay, have to decide if its worth it to you.



I am currently using sail off a one design raceboat with a large roach that extends well past my backstay, love it upwind, but do have to drop the main halyard each tack to clear my backstay.