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square top main sail, has any one ever used one?
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=37191		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  bryan b [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  square top main sail, has any one ever used one?
Im thinking about getting a new main sale and the price diffrence is only $175. I was wondering if it was worth the money or just stay with a stock style sale.
Author:  sunvista [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: square top main sail, has any one ever used one?
I wouldn't think you'd get much improvement with a mast that flexes at the top (comp tip). I'm sure they are not class legal.
Author:  bryan b [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: square top main sail, has any one ever used one?
Im not really going for class legal and I have a solid aluminum mast. I was just figuring more sail power means more power.
Author:  MBounds [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 1:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: square top main sail, has any one ever used one?
bryan b wrote:
Im not really going for class legal and I have a solid aluminum mast. I was just figuring more sail power means more power.
That's not really the way square-top mains work, though. Yes, there can be more power. At other times, that power can be unwanted (too much). The plan form shape of a square-top main is more efficient upwind than a pin-head sail. Downwind in a breeze is where that extra area at the top will work against you. The 16 is pitchpole twitchy to begin with.

A square-top main also requires more mainsheet tension to get the leech tight enough. That's why most F18s have a 10:1 or higher purchase on the mainsheet. You do something like that on an old 16 and you'll pull the traveler car right out of the track.

Call me a purist, but the 16 just looks weird with a square-top sail.
Author:  bryan b [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: square top main sail, has any one ever used one?
Thanks. That is what I was looking for. As far as ripping the track out of the frame that is enough to keep me from getting one. This is why I like this place so much.
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