Mainsail luff shrinkage---acceptable?

Just bought some new sails for our Laser 2, we laid the old over the new and measured. The leech and foot of the old sail is a fraction of an inch or so longer, the luff was 3 1/2 inches shorter and there appeared to be more gather of the sail along the bolt rope. In use the old sail downhaul was impossible to use as no stretch in the bolt rope. The new sail was easily pulled down by 2 inches. we have re stitched the bolt rope in the old sail which gives better shape generally but there is still no stretch so the downhaul is still a bitch to apply. Is it an easy job to replace the bolt rope? If so what rope to use?

Edited by GK.LaserII

No, replacing the boltrope is not an easy job. In some cases it can be (see my previous post), but it does depend on a number of factors. Most boltropes I have replaced are made from nylon or polyester 3-core, depending on the stretch required.

Before putting your sail in to your sailmaker to have a replacement boltrope be sure that the sail is in good condition and is worthy of the repair - it can be expensive!