A comment in another thread prompted me to bring this question into a thread of its own.
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<br>All of the cats I have sailed have been a few years old. I've never made the investment in new sails (just keep moving to "new" used boat). My current boat is a 1996 N6.0. I have no plans to change boats, yet am wondering if it's time to replace the sails, particularly the dacron jib.
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<br>What do you look for when deciding whether a set of sails should be retired?
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<br>(The question was promted in part by a comment in another thread suggesting that a "blown out" jib can hook the flow back into the main.)<br><br> Kevin Rose
<br>N6.0na #215
<br>kevin@paddleways.com
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Kevin:
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<br>Actually a blown out jib usually loses it's leach first and you then lose the ability to point and the jib often begins fluttering it's leach.
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<br>It really comes down to whether or not you plan to race. IF you are racing and sail in moderate conditions then to stay competitive you should replace the jib on a yearly basis. In other fleets (like lasers) the top guys get several new sails each year. This is a bit extreme for the 6.0 but every other year would be a must unless you sail in 10 knots or less all of the time.
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<br>Please feel free to write back with any other questions....
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<br>Best regards,
<br>Mark A. Michaelsen ~MM~
<br>SPS Website: http://www.sailingproshop.com
<br>Small Craft Advisories Sailing Centers
<br>1244 Pacific Coast Highway
<br>Seal Beach, Ca 90740
<br>(562) 594-8749 Voice
<br>(562) 594-0208 FAX
<br>(800) 354-7245 Order Line
<br>(714) 238-0925 International Voice Mail/Pager
<br><br><br>Mark Michaelsen
<br>www.sailingproshop.com
<br>(800) 354-7245

Mark,
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<br>One reason that I posted the question was the comment about a blown out jib tending to backwind the main. My experience has been, as you said, a fluttering leach. No matter how hard I sheet in a good blow, I can't get the leach to quiet down. (Typical conditions I sail in here on Lake Champlain are 10 - 20, with the autumn winds often 20+.)
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<br>How about the main? Where will the age first show in performance? (Mine is mylar and, like the jib, has been on the boat for five years.)<br><br> Kevin Rose
<br>N6.0na #215
<br>kevin@paddleways.com
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The NACRA 6.0NA sail plan was not well done for the reasons you have already stated.The jib backs up into the mainsail almost all of the time, particulary if the mainsail is starting to get stretched out.
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<br>The mainsail is suspect if the luff panels are starting to delaminate or if the draft has moved to 50% or farther aft.
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<br>Write back with any other questions!
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<br>Mark A. Michaelsen ~MM~
<br>SPS Website: http://www.sailingproshop.com
<br>Small Craft Advisories Sailing Centers
<br>1244 Pacific Coast Highway
<br>Seal Beach, Ca 90740
<br>(562) 594-8749 Voice
<br>(562) 594-0208 FAX
<br>(800) 354-7245 Order Line
<br>(714) 238-0925 International Voice Mail/Pager
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<br><br><br>Mark A. Michaelsen ~MM~
<br>1244 Pacific Coast Highway
<br>(562) 594-8749 Voice
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Kevin, Leech flutter can be repaired by any sailmaker for a relatively modest charge. This involves opening a seam or two and resewing with just a little more overlap, like maybe 1/16th of an inch to firm up the leech again. You should have this done even if you buy a new jib so that you have an old jib to use in heavy air or just for fun to help prolong the life of the new jib you buy. This can even extend the competitive life of the jib IF the material and shape are still otherwise O.K. on the jib with the fluttering leech. Look closely at the material for signs of stretch, delamination, thread breakage, etc. Have the sailmaker give you an opinion of the condition of the sail. If you look around at enough sails, you will learn the tell tale signs of material breakdown and loss of desired shape. I would add that any time you buy a second set of sails to make sure you get battens with them so that you can continue to use the old set as you desire. If you have to switch battens each time then you will not be as likely to use the old set anymore and you will have wasted the opportunity to extend the life of the new set and use the old set for non-competitive sailing. Also, you will have a spare set of battens in case one breaks and you have to have one NOW. If you have the jib repaired, remove the mainsail battens and take both sails in for a "check-up". The sailmaker will look them over and restitch any seams that show thread waer and repair any holes or tears, etc. Again, this will be for a modest charge and may save you lots more later on. <br><br>

Thanks Mike. I just happen to have a good sailmaker within a quarter mile of my house (Shore Sails). I plan to drop off the jib and main once Lake Champlain starts to ice up. (I can hear all you southern sailors saying, "What's ice?".)
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<br>Prior to buying my 6.0 my sailing was limited to just blasting around on an H16. I still really enjoy the distance sailing aspect of the sport, but I with a growing fleet here in Vermont I started racing my boat around the buoys this summer. It's been great fun with a terrific bunch of sailors. As most readers of this forum know, there's nothing like some good competition to hone the skills. There's also nothing like competition to start draining the wallet. No longer can I tolerate the poor performance of an old set of sails. It's a slippery slope.
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<br>Cheers,<br><br> Kevin Rose
<br>N6.0na #215
<br>kevin@paddleways.com
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