The last week I did re-cut the top of the main with my sail maker so that it could be hoisted higher and now it is ok. We did found an old lazy-bag from Thrill Seeker what we could use temporary, this one has no ventilation on the bottom and is a little on the short side but for now it is ok. We are making a new one what will be a little longer and some ventilation on the bottom. Last weekend we did sleep for the first time on the boat and the bed is very good. I am still sorting out how to guide the various lines. The jib need some attention too, the clew board is to small I think to trim it properly, I think I have to make a bigger one. We also did a test sail with the two of us and with the lazy bag it is much easier to drop the sail.
It seems that your sailmaker has never done squaretop sails before and it also seems that he's not very professional in any meter. See your top most panels on your sail. The loadpath from the halyard goes directly to clew. Now your top most panels are cut to TOP! Not to the halyard point. Why is this? None of the panels are carrying the loads! Only one panel and count how many strings are actually carrying the load even on this panel.
ReplyDeleteAlso the top patch is ridiculous the patch it self is smallest on the highest loadpoint (Halyardpoint-clew).
Why did you accept sail like this?
I would be nice if you don't stay anonymous
DeleteThey have been changed and my sailmaker almost makes scare tops only.
ReplyDeleteThe headboard car is the problem it is a bit difficult to attached the sail.
I believe you know what I'm talking about when i talk about the loads. Think about it your self. What is carrying all the loads now? Shouldn't it be the carbon filaments in your sail? How many filaments do you believe is now under load? Compare how many filaments would carry the load if the panel arrangement on the sail would be done like it should be done(see photos below).
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't just trust your sailmaker that they do decent job because others have their sails too! You can check big brand sails like north sails. Do they make any triradial sail heads like yours? NO!
Just by quick google, see it your self:
https://cfd.northsails.com/sailing/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/19211911/npl_sport.jpg
https://cfd.northsails.com/sailing/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/18094847/Mainsail-SquareTop-Panel-Sport-8.9.16.jpg
http://incidence-sails.com/fichiers/produit/vignette689.jpg
https://gransegel.se/new/images/fathead-panel.svg?crc=90175716
Your sail head is now extremely weak and for sure it will break. its just matter of time when you have a good gust under and the whole top is screwed. If someone would sell me sail like that I would return it right away. For something like A-class catamaran this could be ok as the loads are so small but boat like yours- never.
You can even think why someone in the first place invented load path sails (3dl, D4, etc)? because it gives the freedom to to align the load carrying fibers with the loads. see how the fibers are laid on these sails. One group of fibers are always going from tack to head to carry the luff loads and another group of fibers from clew to head to carry to loads from the mainsheet and so one with the rest of the loads. What would happen if the fibers would be laid like yours? going from clew to whole head instead of halyard point on the head?
I see amazing hard and fine work on your boat but this sail is like putting steel wheels to ferrari, hope you can solve this issue with your sailmaker! And I do hope he knows aerodynamics better than the structures of the sails.