Hollow cut leech

[j34035]

I have a light #1 that has a hollow cut leech. What is the advantage/disadvantage of a hollow cut? When I measured the sail, it shows about 25 square feet less than my other #1 that is cut with a full leech. These sails came with the boat, so I am not sure of the history behind these sails. BTW, it is a kevlar tape drive sail if that makes any difference. Thanks!!
DD
"Sparkie"

[Valiente]

I am merely guessing here, but it is either something to do with making a racing rating, or it is perhaps cut that way to avoid snagging on the shrouds or the spreaders when close-hauled and/or tacking tight angles.

I know when I shredded an admittedly old light No. 1 when I came around a point of land and the wind went from 10 to 25 knots, it was the leech line that hooked on the spreader and started to tear the sail at a right angle. I had to cut the leech line to release tension, because letting the sheet slacken didn't free the sail. A "hollow leech" in such a situation might have avoided this issue, but then again, that particular sail owed me nothing.

[Faster]

Hollow leaches on headsails are more stable and tend to flutter less than straighter leaches, requiring less attention to the leach line.

Hollow Leeches are blood sucking parasites that have yet to latch onto you

[sailingdog]

Faster-

Where are you getting Leach for the sailing term???

If you do a google search for the definition of leech... it includes the trailing edge of a sail. A google search for the definition of leach doesn't include anything about sails...

[Faster]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Faster-

Where are you getting Leach for the sailing term???

If you do a google search for the definition of leech... it includes the trailing edge of a sail. A google search for the definition of leach doesn't include anything about sails...

That came from the venerable Royce's Sailing illustrated which was the first book we picked up with our first boat some 25 years ago, and the spelling stuck. (you had me worried there, but I actually still have that well thumbed, tattered copy.) They use "Leach" throughout the text, but on further investigation, do use "leech" as an alternative in their index.

Whatever, at least when we talk about it no one will notice the difference..

[sailingdog]

Faster-

I believe that is the UK English spelling...

[j34035]

Regardless of how it is spelled, thanks for the feedback!!
DD

[Faster]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Faster-

I believe that is the UK English spelling...

No doubt.... we colonials have been trying to get rid of those Brits for 140 years.... clearly we've not been fully successful yet!

[sailingdog]

rofl.... not quite yet...

Originally Posted by Faster

No doubt.... we colonials have been trying to get rid of those Brits for 140 years.... clearly we've not been fully successful yet!