New Main Sail - Cloth question

[chuckr]

well we blew out our main sail and as has been suggested in other posting it is most likely we would have needed a new main anyway - the problem is we are underway and will not be back to our winter port until late sept or oct
we are headed to albania 5 july - and then on to croatia -
we did ask the jeanneau dealer there for a sailmaker recommendation and he recommended northsail and we got a quote - but not sure on the material

so here are the questions: 

1 - does anyone know of a good sailmaker in croatia?

2 - if i order a sail from someone else can i have it shipped to a marina to be held for me as i am going to do with my mail?

3 - northsail quoted srp75 weight material -- but they have other material as well -- we are not good sailors or racers - just simple folks trying to get from port to port so a really hi tech sail would be way over kill for us -- any suggestions on material?

thanks to all

chuck patty and soulmates
in otranto italy waiting on a wx window

[MalcolmP]

Can't answer first question, but I have had quite large items shipped to Marina's OK, but best to ask them first..

On sailcloth we also only cruise but after a lot of research decided to use a vectran cloth - which is still woven but is very low stretch - see: www.hoodaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?paraID=15  Mine was made by Peter Sanders in the UK who is really knowledgeable and helpful - I imagine he could ship to Croatia and probably would already have the correct dimensions for your model  - Mine fitted perfectly  worth giving him a call anyway sanders-sails.co.uk/

Malcolm

[rene460]

Hi chuckr,

For measurements, any sail maker will send you a measurement form if you are in a location where he can't get to the boat.

Main measurements of luff, leach and foot are easy.  A little too small is better than too big by an inch or two.  More important is the detail at the tack, clew and head.  I.e. the location of the pin from the mast and boom tracks.  You can describe your reefing gear and even send a few photos to get the reef points right.

For cruising you still need good cloth with minimum stretch, but cloth that will tolerate your furling reefing and being stuffed into the boom stack and still give reasonably long life without requiring careful rolling.  I believe they are generally described as cruising laminates.  The choice is also determined by the cut you choose, as different material is required for a tri-radial than for a horizontal cut sail.  I suggest taking the sailmakers advice after discussing your type of sailing activity.

A cruising sail is also generally cut with a slightly different shape so it is less sensitive to trim.  A straight racing sail is excellent when perfectly trimmed but performance falls off rapidly if you do not have it quite right.  A cruising shape gives generally better performance when set near enough, though not quite as good as a racing cut that is perfectly set.  You still want a good sail to get you over the bar before the tide changes, or around a rocky headland, or perhaps into the bar before to closes.

rene460

[dublin]

Replaced the sails this year
Got them in Hydranet radial from Jeckells.
Performance has changed way beyond expectations.
Can now carry full sail at 20 kts wind speed and she just accelerates in the gusts. With the old sails she lay down in the gusts