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North
Sails invites our cruising clients to write to our in-house "experts"
with questions and comments about North cruising sails. We encourage
questions that will help other cruisers and we'll make every effort
to post questions (with answers) to this page within 48 hours.
As always, North Sails is interested in constructive questions and
observations from all over the world related to the performance,
design and manufacturing of our complete line of quality cruising
sails. Dan Neri (above) is one
of North's cruising sail experts. |
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| We
look forward to hearing from you! Email NORTH
SAILS cruising experts to submit your sail-related question. |
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- December
29, 2003 submitted
by Steve Borrse
A
friend gave me his 150 genoa from his newer Morgan 43 with a taller
mast. Can this sail be cut down to fit my boat?
- December
25, 2003 submitted
by Ted Algren
Can
I replace the metal slides on my Freedom 33 Cat Ketch? Or do I need
to replace both the track and slides?
- December
24, 2003 submitted by
Giorgio
Cagliero
I
own an Hallberg-Rassy 46 that can be fitted with a bowsprit for use
with a furling gennaker
- December
21, 2003 submitted by
Jim
Herbert
I am thinking about a new main for
my Islander 36.
-
December 12, 2003 submitted
by Chris
Ditullio
I am in the process of designing my
sailboat. I am trying to decide between a raked aft (about 5 to 6 degrees)
and a straight mast
- December
11, 2003 submitted by
David
I
own a Dufour 40 (2003) with a 9/10 fractional rig. May I know if it
is possible to fly a gennaker from a masthead?
- December
5, 2003 submitted
by Paul
Is
there a serious problem leaving my Dacron furling genoa on my boat under
a Sunbrella cover while storing it on a lake in PA for the winter?
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December 3, 2003 submitted
by Bob
Schaedel
We
have a 2 year old Pacific Seacraft 40 with the standard 120% jib (as
well as staysail) which does not provide enough power when the wind
is under 15 kts.
-
December 3, 2003 submitted
by Gary Souza
I
have a brand new 3/4 oz tri-radial chute from a Newport 27 (I was told..)
- November
24, 2003 submitted
by Martin Sabbatical
What
is the very best solution to restoring the as-new look to Dacron sails
by washing them with some solution?
-
November 18, 2003 submitted
by Bill Mihelich
I
have a 30 foot Newport that still has its original 23 year old mainsail.
To help me decide what I should get, can you give me a list of pros
and cons?
-
November 14, 2003 submitted
by Jeff Barrett
My
interest in performance suggests I am a candidate for a set of Marathon
3DL sails,for my Ericson 35 Mk III but I have read elsewhere that laminated
sails in general, and high end laminated sails in particular, are of
limited value - Any thoughts on this?
-
November 7, 2003 submitted
by Fredrick Feldbauer
A few questions
regarding the proper equipment selection and deployment of free-flying
reaching sails?
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November 7, 2003 submitted
by Duane Venton
I plan to
replace the sails on a Tashiba40 (cutter rigged), which I recently bought
and for which I have a question about main reef points?
-
October 22, 2003 submitted
by Greg Bennet
I need to replace my ruller furling headsail on my Pearson 26. Do you
recommend a Dacron sail or should I try something different?
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October 21, 2003 submitted
by Dave Grover
I have problems in high winds furling my 130% genoa. Should I install
a separate winch for this purpose or should I use a smaller sail?
-
October 6, 2003 submitted
by Bob Jennette
I plan to have a Schaefer furling boom installed in my sloop and have
had good luck with a conventional main. Is this the type of sail to
be built for the furling boom or does the easy cockpit reefing allow
a more standard sail?
-
October 2, 2003 submitted
by Dr. Linda
When installing a 150 roller reefing headsail, where is the best placement
for the lead blocks?
-
September 21, 2003 submitted
by Dr. Mike Milton
I recently acquired a Reynolds 21' sailing cat. Do you have any information
on how it should be rigged?
- September
15, 2003 submitted
by Johan Jonkman
Is it possible to furl a 3DL 150% genoa built in 1999?
- September
13, 2003 submitted
by Dr. Jim Miller
Can I remove the Dutchman from my Tartan 30 and use LazyJacks?
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September 10, 2003 submitted
by Lionel Head
I have been having some difficulty tuning my mast and I was hoping North
Sails could help. I really need an expert's opinion.
-
September 4, 2003 submitted
by Jim Thom
I have several questions about the sail plan for a 35' steel yacht I
am constructing. What type of professional could do the design work?
-
September 2, 2003 submitted
by Michael B. Rich
I have an Irwin 37 with a yankee cut headsail. Would I achieve better
pointing and more speed under light air with a bigger headsail?
-
September 2, 2003 submitted
by Joe Avellar
Does North Sails still make a jib roller furler and if not, where can
I get parts?
-
August 27, 2003 submitted
by Bill Crowder
How well would a full battened mainsail work with my in-mast furling
system?
-
August 26, 2003 submitted
by Marcelo Almeida
I would like to improve the performance of my Lagoon 380 in light winds.
what would you recommend?
-
August 26, 2003 submitted
by Ron Riley
When I sheet the genoa hard on my 32' cruiser/racer, I always seem to
backwind the mainsail - does this matter?
-
August 26, 2003 submitted
by Ken Ferhrnstrom
Does it make sense to equip my Sabre
425 with a whisker pole?
-
August 23, 2003 submitted
by Lee Haefele
I have questions about adding a foam luff to my Nauticat 33. Would there
be an advatange to a smaller stay sail that could be sheeted inside?
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August 20, 2003 submitted
by David Doles
I recently bought a 1990 Pearson
31 that came with two 130% genoas: one Dacron and one Mylar. What differences
should I expect between these sails?
-
August 15, 2003 submitted
by Kim Clements
The pressure gauge on our
hydraulic backstay is not working. Any suggestions on how fo find parts?
-
August 13, 2003 submitted
by Mark, El Segundo
What is a roller furler jib
halyard restraint?
-
August 11, 2003 submitted
by Jim Rice
Many long-term cruisers have recommended
a main with not battens. Is this worth considering?
-
August 9, 2003 submitted
by Bob Vander Ploeg
Should I sheet my storm jib on
my 28' masthead sloop to the toe rail, inboard genoa lead track, the
coach roof or somewhere else?
-
August 4, 2003 submitted
by Vlado Dopuda, Croatia
I would like to
use a North light 50cm2 spinnaker on a Albin Express 25.5 with a fractional
rig. Is this a good idea?
-
August 4, 2003 submitted
by John Hector
What
would the performance reduction be on a jib positioned 6 inches behind
a furled genoa?
- August
1, 2003 submitted
by Karen
Do you recommend
a loose footed main for my '81 Boston Whaler Harpoon 5.2?
- July
31, 2003 submitted
by "Windjammer"
The
genoa on my new Catalina 400 MKII seems more difficult to trim than
on other boats I've sailed on in the past. Can you help me?
-
July 28, 2003 submitted
by Dominick Zangari, MD
Should backstay
tension be increased or decreased when sailing downwind and why?
-
July 24, 2003
submitted by Geoff Freemantle
I am looking to
buy a used North 140% furling genoa froma CS 36 Merlin for my Hunter
34. Wil it fit?
-
July 22, 2003
I have noticed
while sailing I seem to have more strain on my jib sheets than on the
main sheets. Is this normal?
-
July 22, 2003 submitted
by Clive, Quickstep
At a recent
regatta, I was constantly overpowered and could not point compared to
the other boats. Would a more powerful mainsheet system and backstay
help or do I need a new set of rags?
-
July 21, 2003 submitted
by Charles H.
How difficult and pricey would it be to change an in boom furling system
on a boat I am considering buying? Would this allow better performance?
-
July 17, 2003 submitted
by Greg Smith
What is the best way to fold my sails for storage?
-
July 8, 2003 submitted
by Jon Z.
Can I make an asymmetric spinnaker for a 20' boat from an existing symmetric
spinnaker for a 30'boat?
-
June 27, 2003 submitted
by Adam Norwood
My local sailmaker recommends a "square weave" Dacron material
as an upgrade from standard Dacron cloth. Is this material warp or fill
oriented?
-
June 13, 2003 submitted
by Bob Horn
Where can I get more information about Allslip sail slides?
-
June 13, 2003 submitted
by Royer Cook
I am considering buying a gennaker to use for both cruising and some
point to point racing. Will this give me much performance increase above
a poled-out 150 genoa?
- June
13, 2003 submitted
by P. Verriere
We just bought a boat with all North sails on board. The origianl
owner spilled cooking oik on the main. Any suggestions on how to remove
the stain?
-
May 31, 2003 submitted
by Rob Lennon
I am ordering a new furling
headsail for my boat and am confused about the two different cloths
I have been quoted on. What is the difference between NSP 9.8oz and
NSP 440?
-
May 27, 2003 submitted
by Burt
I have a Dutchman Mainsail
Flaking system on my boat. What is the proper way to adjust the monofiliment
lines for proper flaking of the sail?
-
May 18, 2003 submitted
by Rick
Can
you tell me what the halyard on the forward side of the mast (about
5 feet below the mast head) is?
-
May 17, 2003 submitted
by Bob DT
It
is very hard to raise and lower the mainsail on our Catalina 28MII.
Are the slides the wrong size?
-
May 5, 2003
I
have raised the boom 9 inches on my 44ft trimaran sloop. It seems best
to lower the mainsail head by 9 inches. If so, how far down the sail
would ou have to trim the leech and still maintain the roach?
- May
4, 2003 - submitted by Bob Kral
Our
Sea Scout Ship has been given a main and a jib that are brand new. Can
these sails be recut to fit our boat and about how much would it cost?
- April
25, 2003 - submitted by Ed Frietag
We
have a Harken RF that we use for cruising with our North 135% genoa.
I am concerned about using the roller furler as a storm sail during
our upcoming cruise to New England.
-
April 23, 2003 - submitted by Matthew Reese
I
have an Ericson 32, currently configured with a jib and a main. Would
it be worth converting to a cutter rigged solution?
-
April 23, 2003 - submitted by Emili Trasmonte
I would like to learn more about the basics of staysails, mizzen gennakers
adn mizzen spinnakers for my ketch. Where can I find this information?
-
April 21, 2003 - submitted by Ben Dahlin
What
are you feelings on the storm jibs like the ATN Gale Sail that attach
around a furled headsail?
- April
9, 2003 - submitted by Steve Waterloo
Do you recommend using a Dutchman on a Marathon mainsail? Also, if the
sail spends most if its life baking under the cover on the boom, will
that affect the life or shape of the sail?
- April
9, 2003 - submitted by Bill Hart
I have been racing my Ranger 28 TM in PHRF since it was new in 1978.
Would it make sense to convert this type boat to an asymmetrical setup
with about a 6' extendable sprit?
-
April 9, 2003 - submitted by Chris
I
have a full batten main with a 45.5 luff and 16.5 foot. When trimming
the outhaul how many inches of travel should the outhaul car have between
tight to eased?
- April
7, 2003 - submitted by Bill Malone
I just bought a new G3 gennaker that we will use for racing and cruising.
It was delivered with what looks an ATN tacker. Should we use this all
the time?
-
April 7, 2003 - submitted by Frank Fowler
I've seen a NORTH mainsail with a cord and cleat on the leech of the
sail near the clew. What is this used for?
-
April 3, 2003 - submitted by Dave Kendig
When a high roach on a mainsail goes beyond the backstay, does is significatnly
reduce the life of the sail?
-
March 31, 2003 - submitted by Tom Bergeron
Is North Sails the maker of the LazyMate flaking system?
-
March 28, 2003 - submitted by Gary Milstead
I am trying to decide if I should alter the original sail plan on my
Chrysler C-26 sloop by using the extra mast height available to create
a taller 7/8 fraction al rig.
-
March 26, 2003 - submitted by Alan Bartnik
What is involved with converting a hanked on Genoa for furling?
-
March 18, 2003 - submitted by Paul Uhl
I'm interested in purchasing a new mainsail but am a bit unclear as
to what influences choosing the correct weight for sailcloth.
- March
17, 2003 - submitted by Ken Hatfield
Can you tell me about the Zip Stop main? I've heard it's very easy to
use.
- March
17, 2003 - submitted by Marc Dubois
Is it possible to install a Staysail with the "Stay"?
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March 5, 2003 - submitted by Marlin Meitzen
I am trying to decide between the G-3 Gennaker or G-3 Gennaker for cruising
in light winds.
-
March 3, 2003 - submitted by Mark L.
Cai
What is the best way to rig sheets for a staysail?
-
February 17, 2003 - submitted by Bob Knight
What is the appropriate length for new sheets on my G-3 cruising chute
on my Islander 28?
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February 14, 2003 - submitted by Goktug Vensurel
I want to purchase an asymmetric sail between a symmetric spinnaker
and a genoa. What do you recommend?
-
January 31, 2003 - submitted by Michele
I'm looking for bronze slides for my mainsail boom track and trampoline.
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January 27, 2003 - submitted by John Wills
Can you advise on the advantages
of Spectra sails?
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January 22, 2003 - submitted by Phil Clark
I am scrappingthe headsail roller-reefing
on my 45' Koopmans cutter and going back to cutter + hanks. Should the
Yankee overalap the mast or not?
- January
7, 2003 - submitted by Chris
I have a Freedon 36 with a mainsail
that has a rope in the foot that slides into a slot in the boom. Can
I rig this as a loose footed mainsail?
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January 5, 2003 - submitted by Hans & Jo
Cool
Without
reefing my staysail
wishbone ketch, what should the order of sail reduction from a full
rig be? Also, how do I correctly attach the mainsail to the boom?
-
January 4, 2003 - submitted by Markus
Can
I fly a gennaker or asymmetric from my masthead or from a fractional
position on my Dufour Atoll 43 with a 7/8 fractional rig?
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January 2, 2003 - submitted by Ken Fawell
As a single-handed sailor, I am concerned
about the main bnding in the mast track if fully battened.
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