Thanks Jon, but i am NOT in the market for a new sail ( i have the original mystere sail in my closet if i want it as a pattern).
I am going to try and match my luff curve with the sail, and try changing battens .. but my question is: do i really want more power / does it increase my risk of mast damage since i sail solo and in all conditions).

I will not adjust my tension/rake when the wind chages... so should i leave it alone, or ...


PS... what is "origional", is that some way to fold paper?

Sailing solo actually lessens mast loading. Diamond/prebend don't do much to support mast from breakage under spinny...it's the unsupported area above the hounds that is susceptible under spinny. Follow the advice of not releasing mainsheet while under spinny. Travelling out can be used in gusts, but dumping the spinny load is more effective.

Thanks Mike...

One other point...you may feel you have more than enough power...but it the mainsail is poorly fitted to the mast, you might be sailing at extreme angles to the wind in order to get the boat moving/flying a hull (I'm refering here to sailing to weather...not under spinny). This makes the boat vulnerable to gusts, popping up the hull rapidly...which makes you think you're over powered. So, you do more to flatten the sail (more DH etc)....and this makes you head even further off wind to get going. In reality, if your sail & mast were working better together, you should be able to fly a hull without big hull pop-ups, controlling heel angle and sensitivity with a single arm length of mainsheet tension in/out. Boat will feel faster as it tends to squirt forward rather than popping up with each gust.

Andrew's got the old original North Mystere 5.5 mylar sail. Shredded as it is, it's still a GREAT sail to copy. Huge 36 inch flathead. How about taking it to Calvert and him copying it into one of those LoadPath mains? Bring the mast to him as well.

Yes, i stated above that i have this sail. BUT i also stated, I AM NOT IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW SAIL AT THE MOMENT!!!

I take it that you are not interested in a new sail?:)

Why, do you think i should get a new sail?

Andrew:

Once you have sailed a Pentex or one of the new technology sails, you won't want dacron anymore. Trust me.

Doug

Thanks Doug, but i AM NOT IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW SAIL.

I have a mylar sail i just shredded, and the sail shown above IS Pentex (i mistakenly said it was mylar).

I dont own a dacron sail (besides my 3 jibs)...

On my Capricorn, I always adjust the diamond tension (= pre bend) according to the wind situation between 36 and 40 on the loose gauge. This makes a noticeable difference and I can't imagine, that there is a standard setting for all conditions. When you have hoisted the spi you have to open the mast rotation fully, so the mast can bend sideways. Support the mast by keeping the traveller in the middle (unless there is really low wind, then about 30cm open) and the mainsheet fairly tight, strong winds very tight. When you look up to the mast top, it never should bend towards the bow.
Following this you should not risk your mast, and don't ask me how I know.
My 2 cents ...
Kai