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Old 02-04-2007
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Jib/Genoa Leech Flutterin....

Hey guys,

Here's a question I've been meaning to ask for some time but kept forgetting.

When the leech of your jib or genoa is "fluttering" while you are on a close reach or close hauled, what does this mean? Should you tighten the sheet or release? Do you ahve too much sail up for the conditions?

When I say "fluttering" I don't mean "luffing", because there is a lot of wind on the sail, but it seems to flutter in a high frequency making quite a distinct fluttering noise. During this time the boat still has way and isn't losing way.

My personal experience was when closehauled I would tighten the sheet and the fluttering would diminish, however, sometimes even when I tightened the sheet as much as possible it still fluttered.

MY other guess would be that the boat might be pointing too high when this happens.

This usually happens on a 130% Genoa with a boat I sail often in the sailing club, so maybe this sail is reaching the end of its lifespan as it's been used so often and can't hold it's shape anymore?

Kacper

Last edited by Kacper : 02-04-2007 at 06:17 PM.
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Old 02-04-2007
Aasem Aasem is offline
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Is it fluttering (flogging is the term) at the top, middle, bottom, or evenly along the entire leech?

First, check your jib lead location--they might be too far aft. If they're set for proper trimming under the conditions, then snug the leech line. That should take care of it.
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Old 02-04-2007
Sailormon6 Sailormon6 is offline
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Put just enough tension on the leech line to make it stop fluttering. It's not a sign of a worn out sail. It often happens on new sails. The leech just needs a little support, and that's the purpose of the leech line. Whatever you do, don't ignore it. A fluttering leech really hurts the boat's performance.
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Old 02-04-2007
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Also, a fluttering leech can damage the sailcloth pretty quickly...
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Old 02-05-2007
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Thanks for the tips, I'll try that next time.

Hmm, as per the fairleads, why would having them too far aft cause this?

... the sail flutters near the middle and top of the leach.

Kacper
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Old 02-05-2007
equitiman equitiman is offline
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How do you deal with this if you don't have a leech line?
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Old 02-05-2007
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fairlead too far aft would tension the foot and opening up the leech whereas too far forward would tension the leech and have more draft at foot.
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Old 02-05-2007
Sailormon6 Sailormon6 is offline
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Quote:
How do you deal with this if you don't have a leech line?
The only way I know to deal with it is to have your sailmaker add a leech line to your sail. I repaired a torn leech line pocket on an old sail once with a standard sewing machine, and it wasn't difficult. If you're handy with that sort of thing, I don't think it would be a difficult DIY project.
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Old 02-05-2007
equitiman equitiman is offline
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Thanks Sailormon...maybe I'll make that my foray into sail maintenance/repair.

Bob
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Old 02-05-2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trantor12020
fairlead too far aft would tension the foot and opening up the leech whereas too far forward would tension the leech and have more draft at foot.

Ahh, I see now. It all makes sense. Thanks
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