New sails, shorter Main?

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seanslife
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:46 pm
Location: Canberra

New sails, shorter Main?

Post by seanslife »

Hi everyone
The time approaches when I must bite the bullet and order a new set of sails (in my case a new Main and Storm Jib). I've got several quotes for about $1700-$1800, but one thing remains to be sorted before I place the order. I'm considering shortening the Main by upto 30cm in order to lift the Boom so I can fit a Bimini under it (Whitsundays trip planned for Sep). This will reduce mainsail area from 6.71 to 6.38 sqm. There is negligible difference in cost. I'm expecting this will cause a slight(?) reduction in pace, but will there be any other effect to say Pointing, maneuvering or general nimble handling I experience now?

For reference, the dimensions I measured off my existing set are:
Main (6.71 sqm)
- Luff: 5.94m
- Foot: 2.26m
- Leech: 6.27m

Storm Jib (3.80 sqm)
- Luff: 4.73m
- Foot: 2.20m
- Leech: 3.61m

PS. I found a cheap Bimini which might be all a part-time sailor like me needs, at ebayHere
Sean G
"Whispering Wind"
i563: #144
Canberra


http://www.seansboatbuild.blogpsot.com.au
Yara50
Posts: 835
Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:10 pm
Location: Sydney

Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by Yara50 »

The main shouldnt need shortening. The standard main allows the pop top to fit under, and typical biminis are roughly the same height. Would be worth checking your set-up. Maybe the boom gooseneck mast track needs extending?
Ian B
Ex Investigator 563 #50 Yara
atles
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Location: Brisbane

Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by atles »

Hi Sean,
I took off 70 mm of the Bimini legs,and it was right to sit under, with out cutting down the main.
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atles
Investigator #133 sky bird
brisbane
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seanslife
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Location: Canberra

Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by seanslife »

Yara - I checked and you're right, I think the gooseneck track does need to be lifted - it could accept up to 18cm of raising before it obstructs the opening of the mainsail groove. To raise the track section I'd need to drill out the rivets and then re-rivet back in place ensuring the rivet heads don't jag the gooseneck traveller. Regardless, when fully raised the top of the mainsail hits the top of the mast and then I tension the luff by pulling down the gooseneck (doesn't appear to a be a need for a Cunningham). At this height the boom still sits at ear level - it would be nice to get it above my head but I should keep in mind the boat is a small trailer-sailer and not a 30 footer.

Atles - thanks for the very helpful photo, that seems to mirror the setup I'm pursuing. By reducing the height of the Bimini to fit under the boom I guess you forfeit standing headroom in the cockpit for the shade of the Bimini? Do you miss the standing headroom whilst underway?


Hmm, more to contemplate, I might consider shortening the Main by 15cm and fit the Bimini under it, irrespective of headroom / boom height.

Thanks for your thoughts. I'll let you know which option I choose
Sean G
"Whispering Wind"
i563: #144
Canberra


http://www.seansboatbuild.blogpsot.com.au
atles
Posts: 239
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 1:41 am
Location: Brisbane

Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by atles »

HI Sean,
i am 5-11 and i am fine under it.
If i have to go to the mast it is still easy to go pass too.
Some time i have to let the rope on the boom out, just a small amount,to flip the cover back.
but other than that.It is fine.
atles
Investigator #133 sky bird
brisbane
Dr. Peter
Posts: 377
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Location: Zeerust Victoria

Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by Dr. Peter »

My two cents: There's no association that organises races for 563s as far as I know and if you aren't interested in racing in mixed classes then do what you like. However, if you have a view to selling later on then perhaps you could buy a nice new standard-sized main for 'normal use' and have your old one cut down for cruising and the use of a bimini. I suppose what I'm saying is that, unless you plan to keep the boat a long time, don't radically alter the boat so much that prospective buyers might be put off.

Final: I got my sails, a whole wardrobe, from Eastwind Sails in Gosford back in 2011. I don't know if they are still in business but I was very happy with what they did for me (main, jib, and code zero).
Peter
Pip #127
atles
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Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by atles »

:mrgreen: remember Peter,you left that code zero to me in your will.
atles
Investigator #133 sky bird
brisbane
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Greg
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Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by Greg »

I took off 70 mm of the Bimini legs,and it was right to sit under, with out cutting down the main.
Hey Atles- any chance you could flick me the details of your Bimini? Finally I have a boat item the wife supports spending money on due to the 37c day she endured yesterday. Cheers mate!
Greg
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Raya
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Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by Raya »

Greg,

Andrew wrote a good article about fitting a bimini to Teria on his blog site.

http://teria563.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/bimini-top.html

The Bimini that he used is stocked by Whitworths (cat.No. 14270)
Ray
Investigator #39
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Greg
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Re: New sails, shorter Main?

Post by Greg »

Whoa I read this a long time ago and totally forgot! Andrew does some good work! Cheers for the reminder.
Greg
Investigator #10 - Law & Disorder
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