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Main Sail Window http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=44968	Page 1 of 1

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Author:	poolemarkw [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:57 am ]
Post subject:	Main Sail Window
Are there any negatives to having a window in the main sail? I've seen a few pictures of some that do, but most don't. Does it make the sail illegal for class racing? Does it have to be a certain size to stay legal?? There are many times when I wish my main had one. Mark

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Author:	srm [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Main Sail Window
From the Hobie Class Association General Rules 12.1.b) Windows and telltales may be added as desired. Yes class legal. From a practical standpoint, it is small and not well located, so you will use it very infrequently if at all. Much easier to just look under the boom. sm

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Author:	poolemarkw [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:09 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Main Sail Window
Thanks SRM. I would be adding my own window, and it sounds like I could size and locate it where I wanted. Mark

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Author:	MBounds [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:11 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Main Sail Window
You can make the window as large as you want, but avoid crossing any panel seams. That's probably why the stock window is so small.

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Author:	srm [ Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Main Sail Window
The other reason that small windows are used is that the vinyl material generally used for sail windows is not as "dimensionally stable" as the dacron used to build the rest of the sail. This means that the window material will stretch and distort more than the surrounding material which will affect sail shape. So keeping the window as small as possible is preferred. You could use mono-film, which is more dimensionally stable than dacron or vinyl, for the window but it creases and isn't as durable as vinyl. Everything is a trade-off. sm

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