New sail required?

   Hi Im new to this forum and to dinghy sailing! I joined a local club the beginning of this year and have sailed at least once a week since April, first in the club Quba's then in my own when a nice clean one came up for sale.

My boat came with a "Pro" sail and a sport main which I use mostly - but when I first took it out the bag it had a mouse nest in it and they had chewed a great big hole in the leech.  My mate stitched a patch on it and I scrubbed the whole sail as it was quite stained and its been fine. BUT it being 5 years old with a repair I'm considering selling the Pro sail and treating the boat to a brand new mainsail.  I don't get on with the pro sail as in the light winds mostly on the lake I can't get the top batten to pop over, and if its blowing a bit its too scarey and I can't reef it. Also when other members race in the club boats its nice not to have an unfair advantage with a bigger sail which makes for a close race.

So basically, will a new Dacron mainsail improve my life or would there be nothing wrong with a 5yr old patched up one?

Also, there was a bit of fine string in the leech that has a little plastic jam cleat at the clew of the sail - this came out when the sail was fixed but what did/would it do - I can find nothing on the www...?

Many thanks for your thoughts, and thank you for reading this far! 

Edited by Jas_Quba - 27 Sep 19 at 7:37pm

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Jas_Quba Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 19 Location: Fordingbridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jas_Quba Report Post Quote Reply Topic: New sail required? Posted: 27 Sep 19 at 7:32pm
	Hi Im new to this forum and to dinghy sailing! I joined a local club the beginning of this year and have sailed at least once a week since April, first in the club Quba's then in my own when a nice clean one came up for sale. My boat came with a "Pro" sail and a sport main which I use mostly - but when I first took it out the bag it had a mouse nest in it and they had chewed a great big hole in the leech. My mate stitched a patch on it and I scrubbed the whole sail as it was quite stained and its been fine. BUT it being 5 years old with a repair I'm considering selling the Pro sail and treating the boat to a brand new mainsail. I don't get on with the pro sail as in the light winds mostly on the lake I can't get the top batten to pop over, and if its blowing a bit its too scarey and I can't reef it. Also when other members race in the club boats its nice not to have an unfair advantage with a bigger sail which makes for a close race. So basically, will a new Dacron mainsail improve my life or would there be nothing wrong with a 5yr old patched up one? Also, there was a bit of fine string in the leech that has a little plastic jam cleat at the clew of the sail - this came out when the sail was fixed but what did/would it do - I can find nothing on the www...? Many thanks for your thoughts, and thank you for reading this far! Edited by Jas_Quba - 27 Sep 19 at 7:37pm

SoggyBadger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Oct 10 Location: The Wild Wood Online Status: Offline Posts: 552	Post Options Post Reply Quote SoggyBadger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 19 at 1:42pm
	The line you talk about is/was the leech line - very rare in dinghies. From the photo you sail seems to set very well so I doubt that a new main will make a big difference.
	Best wishes from deep in the woods SB

Jas_Quba Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 19 Location: Fordingbridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jas_Quba Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 19 at 5:47pm
	Ok thanks for that. Perhaps I'd be better spending the money on some coaching instead!

Granite Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 May 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 476	Post Options Post Reply Quote Granite Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 19 at 7:16pm
	The thin line is a leach line and you use it to stop the back edge of the sail from vibrating. If this is not happening then it is fine for it to be missing. Even if it is vibrating it is not a huge problem but can be a bit anoying. If the line were still there then if when sailing the back edge of the sail starts to flutter you tighten the line slightly till it stops. (or do it when you get back onshore) From the pictures those sails look OK.
	If it doesn't break it's too heavy; if it does it wasn't built right

Jas_Quba Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 19 Location: Fordingbridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jas_Quba Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 19 at 8:43pm
	Thats really useful to know thank you - none of my books go into that sort of detail, nor could I find it on the web. What a wealth of knowledge this forum is!

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 19 at 8:48pm
	Coaching would certainly make a difference, even if informal. Where are you based?
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Jas_Quba Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 19 Location: Fordingbridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jas_Quba Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 19 at 9:55pm
	New Forest - Spinnaker SC. Plenty of coaches available I believe!

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 6:58am
	Heaving with them! Lovely place to sail, and especially to learn about wind shifts! A while since I've sailed there, but if Firefly sailing is still strong, crewing is a great way to learn how to get a boat round a course quickly.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3420	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 9:18am
	First class repair on that sail.
	Robert

Jas_Quba Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 19 Location: Fordingbridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jas_Quba Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Sep 19 at 8:42pm
	Yes those shifty winds... sometimes my wind indicator spins more than an anemometer! There are some club Fireflys but its mostly Solo's and Lasers that lap me! I have crewed once on a Wanderer which was great (and comfy after my Quba!) so yes I must do it more and glean more knowledge from the regulars - though I do get plenty of advice thrown my way as they come past! And yes a great repair - my mate (an engineer) did a tailoring course a while back, and his wife used to work in a sail shop - useful people to know!