Mainsail luff shrinkage---acceptable?

The following text taken from the Laser SB3 web site..... Can anyone explain why this happens and why is it accepatble that it happens in 2007, when we are bombarded with sailmakers claims about shape retention, dimensionally stable sailcloths and all the other puff we read when deciding who should get our hard earned cash for new sails?

 

"If you lay a new main on top of an old main, you will see the luff is 6-10 inches longer on a new one, than an old one. This is because after about a year, the bolt rope in the luff shrinks, and they all end up roughly the same."

 

QED if anyone sails with anything other than a brand new sail at any major competitions they are at a distinct handicap!

 

 

 

From a mirror point of view, which i presume applies to others, this is bad news as it makes the sail a funny shape.  Most sailmakers can either replace the rope with a longer one, or add on a bit to bring it to length.

Known issue in the 300 class. Our class rules allow you to fix the sail to the boom withoout using a shakle. So you can then use a bit of odd string instead to reliease the tension. This stops too much luff tension. In some cases the sails have strank so much tenstion is the same as cranking on the cunningham! See Mr Baille's "Jock Strap"

http://www.rs300.com/Features/ian_baillie_tells_us_how_he_ha s_.htm

Mr Pie Walker is right. If your bolt rope has a long tail at the end then simply un stitch it, pull it tight, and then stitch it back again. If you ever get a bolt rope replaced then remember to ask for a tail!

Originally posted by Lukepiewalker Or buy a Finn.... We just have elastic bolt ropes....

Yup and pisses me off every time i hoist the sail, but at least the rig tension is kept.