Purchasing new sails

Hi!

I've bought a Hobie 18 -88 with poor sails. The Hobie dealer here in sweden wanst a huge amount of money for new sails. So I'm going to let a sailmaker sew me mainsail to begin with. Since the boat is dismantled in tiny pieces I have a hard time making messurments that the sailmaker wants. Is there any chart or sail-specifications avaible with all messurments (luff, foot, etc)?

While I'm at it, I'm thinking of making them more like the Tiger, with a squaretop and exotic material. What do you think of that?

(No, I'm not gonna compete with it since it's the only of it's kind around here.)

Regards
Tobias rad
Sweden

Have you tried giving the existing sails to the sailmaker and have him copy them? As for a square top, in another posting on sails someone remarked he saw an 18 with a square top, and since you're not racing, then it probably can be done.

Thats no a bad idea!
About the squaretop I'm wondering if the rig sheet-system is capable of hoisting a squaretop. How does the Tiger differ from a 18 regarding sheeting etc?

I don't know anything about sails, but try talking with the sailmaker about your questions as I'm sure there are options available. A racing 18 must keep the sail design consistent with class rules which is why you probably don't see 18's with a square top, but since you will sail recreationally then sail options open.

i have an extra Pentex squaretop and matching reacher on my 17. Sq top is great in light air. You will see a BIG difference in speed. More area up top. You can always race Portsmouth, That is what I do.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Myster3 4.3
www.tcdyc.com

Thanks for your answers. What does "race Portsmouth" mean? It's a handicap system?

Regards
Tobias

Todias:

Yes do a search for Portsmouth to find the numbers.

Doug

Go to:

www.tcdyc.com

Register and post the same question. There are two 18s with square top sails. One is on a SX and the other is on an 18. Collin has the square top SX and Ricky has the square top 18. They should have all the answers you are looking for. However, getting a square top sail for an 18 is probably going to be more expensive than purchasing a new Hobie 18 dacron sail.