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
H A Sawyer Sailmaker
HA Sawyer Sailmaker -We are a small loft in midcoast Maine. We specialize in traditional sails for classic sailboats of all kinds. In our dealings with customers we believe in honesty and integrity. Communications with the people with whom we are working is very important as we build a custom sail.
In the past year, we have built sails that range in size from 47 square feet to almost 2300 square feet. The boats range from a 14' wherry to the USCG Eagle. We are very proud to be chosen by people with the caliber boats they own, and as a result we are anxious to make the best of all sails for them.
The materials we use are premium. Never anything less. We want your sail to last, look and perform the best. Because of that, most of our bronze is custom cast, using manganese alloys (stronger than stainless), our ropes are European, and the sailcloth is the best we can buy. We currently use Contender Dacron, Oceanus, Duradon and cotton duck.
In our loft, we may floor layout your sail or computer design and plot it; it really depends on the sail. Construction is well thought out, and we use time proven methods that will allow the sail to last without compromising sail set.