Sails for low SA/D

okawbow · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008

Are there any good sailmakers aboard? What sail cut is best for a heavy displacement, long, shallow keel boat like the Bristol 24? The SA/D is only about 14. Do I need lots of power in the sails? partial battens or full? I enter the occaisional club race.

There are no sailmakers in my area. I will have to order sails made elsewere.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008

Okabow-

It would probably help if you said exactly what boat you have...since someone else here may have experience with it. Is it a Bristol 24... I am guessing it is not, since you say "like the Bristol 24".

okawbow · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008

It is a Bristol 24. My question in general, is about differences in sails for boats like the Bristol 24 and lighter faster boats. Is there an advantage of flatter cut sails compared to fuller cut sails for one boat type? Are my older sails less of a disadvantage on my Bristol; or are they more, compared to a lighter boat?

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Multihulls generally have flatter cut sails than monohulls, since they tend to move faster. A heavier boat will generally need fuller sails, as it will require more power to move the boat and they move a bit slower in general. Full battens are nice, since they allow you to have more roach area and the roach area is what develops much of the power in a mainsail. The sail will also flog less and may be easier to furl on the boom.

JimsCAL · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

For a Bristol 24 I would only consider dacron sail. No need to go with high tech cloth. If performance is important (you say you race occasionally) consider "club race" sails versus "cruising" sail. A club race main will have one or two full battens at the top (to give you more roach but still give you the ability to control sail shape.

Since there are no local sailmakers near you, take a look at the mailorder firms like FX Sails or NorthSailsDirect.

blt2ski · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Going to a fuller, ie bigger roach may also get you 10-15% more SA in the main. If you do NOT have a 150 or equal genoa, then that would be in order too.

Dacs as mentioned are probably the best option. Ulman does have a panel cut non dac sail that is the same price. This could be a good option, so that you are getting a better sail cloth, but not spending a lot more money. Check out the Cruising Axel Laminte sails. You will probably need to go to the SanDiego lofts web sit to get info, as the last time I looked at the main site, it did not have much info. Or norths dac/mylar soft norlam would be another good option for not much more than a dac sail.

Marty