To make the mainsail more efficient (higher aspect ratio) without adding a squaretop or bending the existing rules what if;
the foot of the sail was reduced by approx 100 mm at the leach and this was faired back into the existing sail probably about 3 battens up (2m).
This way the diameter and mass of the boom could be significantly reduced since the bending moment applied by the mainsheet pulley mounts on the boom would also be significantly reduced. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
The mainsheet pulley could probably be mounted directly to the leach corner per "A" class etc. without significantly increasing mast rotation force. ???
The reduction in sail area would be minimal 100mm X 2000mm X 1/2 = 100,000mm2 (0.1 m2) so the effect on centre of effort would be minimised. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
If the centre of effort was driven forward ever so slightly the mast could be raked back slightly to counter the effect thus improving upwind performance and further reducing any downwind nosediving tendencies. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Has this been tried on a Mozzie before ? Any additional thoughts or comments anyone ?
Would the higher aspect allow the top of the sail to lay off more in high winds and therefore be more efficient/better ?
Regards,
Peter
