Racing sails
Halfway through the 2012 season we discussed the 260/sail issue. It was very clear that we were not going to be competitive 90% of the time with the old sails. New sails would make the boat faster, but by how much? Because it was the only 260 in the county, we really had no one to ask.
So we decided to look into what new racing sails would cost, and figure if it was the risk. We had gotten a quote for some very nice UK Silver Tapedrives, but the cost was well above what we were willing to risk. So I looked father afield. On a hunch, I asked several new First 25s owners who was making their sails. The answers were all over the board, but one recommendation caught my attention. Somerset sails had made a set of laminated sails that the owner loved, and and what he described as a very reasonable cost.
I reached out to Somerset and liked what I heard. More references checked out. And Martin (the owner) was very knowledgeable and made it clear that no money would permanently change hands until we were happy. And the late-season price was outstanding.
The main was to be a full-batten sail on Strongtrack cars, with a IMS-MAX roach. The jib would be 260 class non-overlapping 105% with vertical battens and a jib sock. During the design, Martin sent us cup plans of the sails for our review and approval. It was a fun process.
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We committed to the deal, and they started cutting and sewing. Somerset makes their own sails in their loft in upstate New York, so they sent pictures as they were being created. Marking and cutting the laminated cloth. Black kevlar strings with mylar film.
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Sewing the luff tape onto the jib
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The jib as no hollow in the leech (straight roach) so the sail has to have battens. Jib batten detail.
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Two weeks later the sails were on the way to Minneapolis. They JUST missed our last summer series regatta, but would be there for our Fall distance races and Frostbite Cup. We headed to the club to test fit and sail. Out of the box, they were looking good. Sail numbers and seahorse logo, naturally.
We headed out for a test sail on a perfect day; sunny and 8-10 knots. Once the sails were up the difference was astounding. The main had a wide range of shape from very flat and de-powered to full and powerful. The jib's telltails responded perfectly to changes in the jib car position. And the mostly clear mylar made them easy to see through!
We soon settled into a suite of test angles and speeds. Most important to us was our upwind speed and angle; capabilities that were poor with the old sails. We were very pleased to find us RIGHT on the boats polars from Conq/Finot. Here we are in 10 knots of breeze upwind. 39 degrees true wind angle. 4.9 knots of boatspeed. Super.
As it is, summer is really over and fall awaits. The next weekend we went out for another break-in sail with some crew, and the weather looked like this:
It should prove to be an interesting fall. Somerset Sails can be found on the web HERE.
So we decided to look into what new racing sails would cost, and figure if it was the risk. We had gotten a quote for some very nice UK Silver Tapedrives, but the cost was well above what we were willing to risk. So I looked father afield. On a hunch, I asked several new First 25s owners who was making their sails. The answers were all over the board, but one recommendation caught my attention. Somerset sails had made a set of laminated sails that the owner loved, and and what he described as a very reasonable cost.
I reached out to Somerset and liked what I heard. More references checked out. And Martin (the owner) was very knowledgeable and made it clear that no money would permanently change hands until we were happy. And the late-season price was outstanding.
The main was to be a full-batten sail on Strongtrack cars, with a IMS-MAX roach. The jib would be 260 class non-overlapping 105% with vertical battens and a jib sock. During the design, Martin sent us cup plans of the sails for our review and approval. It was a fun process.
We committed to the deal, and they started cutting and sewing. Somerset makes their own sails in their loft in upstate New York, so they sent pictures as they were being created. Marking and cutting the laminated cloth. Black kevlar strings with mylar film.
Sewing the luff tape onto the jib
The jib as no hollow in the leech (straight roach) so the sail has to have battens. Jib batten detail.
Two weeks later the sails were on the way to Minneapolis. They JUST missed our last summer series regatta, but would be there for our Fall distance races and Frostbite Cup. We headed to the club to test fit and sail. Out of the box, they were looking good. Sail numbers and seahorse logo, naturally.
We headed out for a test sail on a perfect day; sunny and 8-10 knots. Once the sails were up the difference was astounding. The main had a wide range of shape from very flat and de-powered to full and powerful. The jib's telltails responded perfectly to changes in the jib car position. And the mostly clear mylar made them easy to see through!
We soon settled into a suite of test angles and speeds. Most important to us was our upwind speed and angle; capabilities that were poor with the old sails. We were very pleased to find us RIGHT on the boats polars from Conq/Finot. Here we are in 10 knots of breeze upwind. 39 degrees true wind angle. 4.9 knots of boatspeed. Super.
As it is, summer is really over and fall awaits. The next weekend we went out for another break-in sail with some crew, and the weather looked like this:
It should prove to be an interesting fall. Somerset Sails can be found on the web HERE.
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