08-24-2013, 09:33 AM
Hi,
My tarpaulin sail set was definitely destroyed after 3-4 seasons of sun and ice. The mainsail was completely ripped off grommets from mid height to gaff and lots of duct tape was used for reparations around the trailing edge since last year.
Many fellows promised my some used sails to modify, but finally I had only a jib, a little bit larger, but suitable.
I decided to cut costs and make another time a sail by my own. A Dacron sail was too complicated, because forced me to find a sewing machine and to spend some time to learn the free software and to design it. So I had to spend time and money for a home made solution.
I decided therefore for the Polytarp solution, also because:
1. The fabric is for sure better of the tarpaulin I used. I expect hence other 4 seasons of life at least.
2. They have developed a construction way that gives a profile to the sails, even if assembled from a single sheet.
3. They have already drawn sail set for Weekender, so no engineering time to spend, but I had only to read instructions.
The result is great I really feel that now I have a real sail.Â
Especially in tacking I immediatelly see a big difference, I learned to tack using the boat inertia: good speed, a fast rudder action combined with an energical main sheet pull. When wind was too poor sometime I didn't reach enough speed, with strong wind combined with waves sometime I reached a dead point and the boat moved backward with rudder command inversion.
Now tacking is really easy, even with a low breeze the boat turn without and effort from me. Probably also upwind performances are improved.
I have only had a problem with the sail height. The new design and the fat in the shape result in more sail raising, compared to my previous. So my gaff stopped against shrouds (that in my construction are fixed also higher than normal, in the front side of the eyebolt use for gaff control). I've been forced to modify the gaff changing the thick wooden arms with two thin metal plates and I'm not sure if this problem is completely solved. My advice is to avoid these problems cutting the sail at least 10 cm shorter at the top.
My only consideration is if this design is so positive, why is not adopted as standard in the Weekender Guide for the tarpaulin? To save a couple of lines of grommets?
I read many Weekender new owners complaining for the poor upwind performances and for difficulties in tacking, most of these problem would be reduced simply changing the basic tarpaulin sail design, without increasing its construction!
Gianluigi
P.S. If someone thinks Iâm paid by Polysail International, I inform you that Iâve not bought any kit or any tarp from them. It was too expensive to import it in Italy and I bought from my usual supplier an equivalent product, called Lankotek, made in Germany or in Holland.
My tarpaulin sail set was definitely destroyed after 3-4 seasons of sun and ice. The mainsail was completely ripped off grommets from mid height to gaff and lots of duct tape was used for reparations around the trailing edge since last year.
Many fellows promised my some used sails to modify, but finally I had only a jib, a little bit larger, but suitable.
I decided to cut costs and make another time a sail by my own. A Dacron sail was too complicated, because forced me to find a sewing machine and to spend some time to learn the free software and to design it. So I had to spend time and money for a home made solution.
I decided therefore for the Polytarp solution, also because:
1. The fabric is for sure better of the tarpaulin I used. I expect hence other 4 seasons of life at least.
2. They have developed a construction way that gives a profile to the sails, even if assembled from a single sheet.
3. They have already drawn sail set for Weekender, so no engineering time to spend, but I had only to read instructions.
The result is great I really feel that now I have a real sail.Â
Especially in tacking I immediatelly see a big difference, I learned to tack using the boat inertia: good speed, a fast rudder action combined with an energical main sheet pull. When wind was too poor sometime I didn't reach enough speed, with strong wind combined with waves sometime I reached a dead point and the boat moved backward with rudder command inversion.
Now tacking is really easy, even with a low breeze the boat turn without and effort from me. Probably also upwind performances are improved.
I have only had a problem with the sail height. The new design and the fat in the shape result in more sail raising, compared to my previous. So my gaff stopped against shrouds (that in my construction are fixed also higher than normal, in the front side of the eyebolt use for gaff control). I've been forced to modify the gaff changing the thick wooden arms with two thin metal plates and I'm not sure if this problem is completely solved. My advice is to avoid these problems cutting the sail at least 10 cm shorter at the top.
My only consideration is if this design is so positive, why is not adopted as standard in the Weekender Guide for the tarpaulin? To save a couple of lines of grommets?
I read many Weekender new owners complaining for the poor upwind performances and for difficulties in tacking, most of these problem would be reduced simply changing the basic tarpaulin sail design, without increasing its construction!
Gianluigi
P.S. If someone thinks Iâm paid by Polysail International, I inform you that Iâve not bought any kit or any tarp from them. It was too expensive to import it in Italy and I bought from my usual supplier an equivalent product, called Lankotek, made in Germany or in Holland.