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Gerry McClintoc View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 July 2003
Location: Canada
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gerry McClintoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: main sails
    Posted: 16 November 2008 at 10:29pm
I need a new main and would like some imput as to who makes the best one.  I race only PHRF and we generally have less than 15knts of wind and smooth seas. We do go in some stiff winds at times 30 -40 with 2-3 meter seas   My last one was a composite but I am thinking about going back to Dacron for the new one.  Do people still get the second reef? 
mcclintock
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Bill Layton View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 September 2002
Location: Canada
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Layton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 November 2008 at 10:28am
Pretty safe to say in the east where big L28 fleets race against each other regularly, Quantum One-Design Sails have it wrapped up. Denise Bienvenu (514-631-9845) is Quantum's One-Design rep for the L28, and the L28 owner with the most wins.....she can bring u upto speed :)
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WarBird View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 January 2006
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WarBird Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 November 2008 at 12:46pm

Gerry,

I have hade some success with a composite main cut extra flat.  Main are usually cut with about 12% draft according to my sail maker.  Mine is built with 9.5-10%.  The boat goes powered up early so aflatter main seemed to make sense.  (We race down wind races with a full dacron main, chafe,wear and tear considered).  We power up the flat main by easing outhaul and pulling on vang.  This pulls the leach and put a lot of draft up in the upper batten.  Not perfect, but with a boat as tender, 30-35% ballast, it works pretty well .  Look carefully at how much area you can gety into that main.  Rapscallion (see other posts) has found a lot of room for extra area in the main.  E-mail him, he will explain.  The more main area you get, the sooner you go to a #3 jib and we all know this boat really shines in a PHRF fleet once you are into #3 conditions. 

warbird@bytehead.com

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Bill Brock View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 February 2005
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Brock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 November 2008 at 1:21pm

Hello Gerry,

I really like my North dacron main.  When I bought it three years ago I asked them about 3DL for the main and they said that for a boat the size of a Laser 28 dacron would be a better choice.  They told me that the shape of a dacron main can be adjusted better than a more high tech fabric and they were correct.  I bought mine through the North loft in Chicago and I have never been sorry.  The sail still has great shape.  Get the double reef.  If your winds are generally above 7 knots, I would suggest a design wind speed of 10 knots.  When you talk to the sail makers see how that wind speed compares to the 10% draft suggested above.  It should be pretty close.

Bill

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