Mainsail fluttering on 08 Beneteau 40

[nika44]

Hi, we cruised for 9 days before finding that there was a specific sail trim guide prepared by Neil Pride (the sailmaker for this model). We screwed around with adjusting sail trim during the trip using various recommendations in several sail trim books but had mainsail fluttering. We downloaded the guide after our trip. Despite following the guide and adjusting the main leach etc we still get fluttering in the upper 1/3 of the sail during 8+ knots of wind. I am wondering if the either the sail was stretched by the previous owner (this was a dealer model that had been taken to several shows and used as a demo boat for 2 seasons) or is this a function of an inmast furling system. Adjustments to the boom vang and mainsheet etc. don't seem to get rid of the fluttering.

They never put the tell tales on the main sheet so we have a disadvantage there. We are waiting for a calm day to add these.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[scottbr]

Do you have a big roach with vertical battens or a triangular shape sail. I stopped the fluttering my Hunter ( in-mast, no battens, triangular shape) by snugging up the leach cord.

[nika44]

We have vertical battens and we have tried to snug the leach line to no avail.

[scottbr]

Talk to the dealer or the Neil Pride loft in your area. Maybe they can fix the sail if it's not too stretched?

[nika44]

Thanks, I was hoping that there was some other adjustment that I was not doing. I may see if I can get an experienced sailor to come along with us one afternoon to see if they can help us tweak it.

[tommays]

On some boats you have to crank on the boom vang to help

[Vasco]

I've found the standard Neil Pryde sails that come with a Beneteau to be less than what one should expect. When I first got my 393 five years ago I discussed this with one of their reps. I was finally told that these sails are built to a price point (read cheap!) and if I wanted a better sail I should order a real Neil Pryde sail.

[nika44]

That's interesting. Did you have an issue with fluttering on your main, too. Or are you just saying in general the sails are cheap -- don't hold up, stretch out etc ? Did you replace them? Any idea on what a new main for a 40 footer might run?

[Vasco]

I had a problem with the UV strip coming off the genny. It was like it was painted on. I get a lot of flutter in the main too but would have to be an acrobat or gymnast to get at the leech line so I let it flutter. Mine has no battens, no roach either but it's usually blowing pretty good in my cruising grounds so other than being a bit annoying and bad for the sail it doesn't bother me too much. As for a new main, give Neil Pryde a call, they'll tell you how the new sail will differ from the made for Beneteau sail.

[zz4gta]

MAINSAILS
Inshore Cross-cut Mainsail $2619.00
Inshore Tri-Radial Mainsail $3652.00
Offshore Cross-cut Mainsail $3108.00
Offshore Tri-Radial Mainsail $4196.00
Pentex Club Racing Mainsail $4244.00

from FX online sails quote. With reef point, sail numbers, ensignia, etc comes to 2800 for the cheapy.