measurements

I am bidding on a big job. This is fun, I get to think about fabric, bolt rope, hardware, what kind of sailing and what kind of boat this big job will be.

Not so fun.....measuring. Measuring bad. I have screwed up. Twice. I do feel that in 23+ years that isn't bad but still so humiliating. Once with someone who swore they could give me good measurements, but would never discuss tack angles. Yuck. Once the owner told me the sailplan hadn't changed. The damn boat was right there, but I believed him. MY FAULT should have measured regardless.

The bottom line. If your sailmaker is local have them measure the boat. If not, hire a rigger or fly them to the boat. It will be worth it, they could find all kind of things you wouldn't have thought to tell them. Like that funky gooseneck you have. If you provide measurements be ready for a recut.

Fairwinds and Following Seas,
Heidi

This week I am thinking about gaff sails. I have a customer who was wondering if lashing, hoops or slides were better for his gaff main and mizzen. Good question.

Slides are tough because they keep the sail very close to the mast and I have found that the throat will then need to be fiddled with(making the slide farther from the mast) and sometimes this is true with the tack as well.

Lashing can fall on itself and tangle. Its cheap and easy to install, but often a pain when in regular use.

My favorite! HOOPS! They are expensive. They break. You may still may have to fiddle with them, but less likely to. When using hoops put a couple of extras on the mast to sit at the gooseneck to have if one ever breaks. I haven't had one break on my 11 year old gaff cutter. Now one will.

Fairwinds and following seas!
Heidi