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Submitted
on July 28, 2004 by Don Albanese
Question: I
have a Tartan 4100 now. I still have a 100% jib from my previous boat
a J/35. It is a North Dacron sail. Could that sail be made into a sail
like a Gale Sail to use on the 4100? Would it be about the right size?
If so, how would I get this done?
Thanks!
Don Albanese
Answer: Hi Don, your J/35 100% jib measures about 324 sq ft. A storm jib for your Tartan 4100 should be about 140 sq ft. The J/35 jib is about the right size for use as a #4, or "Heavy Weather Jib" on your Tartan 4100. If you choose to use it as a #4 it will be a good sail in conditions ranging from about 20-26 knots of true wind speed. It would have to be hoisted in the luff groove of the furler so you would have to unroll and remove the primary headsail and then hoist the #4.
You could easily cut the sail down to a Storm Jib size, for use as a Gale Sail because it is cross cut and the panel alignment would still be okay. The shape will not be perfect but it will be good enough for the application. The Gale Sail is a product manufactured by the ATN company. They offer a retrofit service for adding the Gale Sail luff attachment system to an existing storm jib. The charge is $18/foot of luff length, which would be about $375 for this sail. In addition, you will have to pay ATN or a North Sail loft to cut the sail down and move the head and tack patches to their new locations. That might add another $150 to the job.
You can find out more about the Gale Sail at http://www.atninc.com/gale.html
Regards,
Dan Neri
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