[Public-List] Advice on new sails?

[George Dinwiddie]

Mark,

On 10/20/10 10:05 AM, Mark Stephenson wrote:
> Hello all,
> I recently acquired an Alberg 30 (from my father), and am looking
> forward to many years of sailing enjoyment with her in the Virgin
> Islands.  However, the sails are original (30 yrs. old) and I'd like
> to invest in new cloth.  The original sails were made by North,
> however they do not have a loft here.  Any comments on where to go
> for sails (we do have Quantum and Doyle here)?

There are lots of lofts in Annapolis that know the Alberg well.  One 
issue is that goosenecks vary and it may take some expert measurements 
to get a perfect fit.

> Also, if any of you
> have done this recently, any advice on things to consider with
> regards to new sails for an A30?  Full batten main? 115% genoa? Foam
> luff for roller reefing?

A lot of this is subject to how you use the boat and personal 
preference.  I, for example, like hank-on jibs, even though they're a 
little more work.  I use a down-haul tied to the top hank when 
single-handing or in heavy winds to make sail handling easy.

On the Chesapeake, a 170% genoa is pretty normal for the #1.  In the VI, 
that might be a bit much.  This is something to talk with your local 
sailmaker about.

I don't have a full batten main, but the top batten is full length. 
This seems to make the sail keep its shape much better without the 
complexity of full battens.

> I intend to conform to the sizing
> requirements under class rules, just in case the boat ever finds her
> way to an A30 class event!

Besides the handbook, you can find the class rules for sails at 
http://alberg30.org/Assoc/Racing/sails.html

  - George

-- 
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   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
   So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
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