Over the winter I think it's time to buy a new mainsail for my Nacra 5.5SL. We are recreational sailors not looking for the latest and greatest but maybe there is something better than the replacement sail that came with the boat in 1991? Would I be better off looking for a USED sale that isn't good enough for the upper echelon sailers who can tell the difference? I can't. I'm looking for suggestions for materials and manufacturers and retailers for that sail. What would you do?

Thanks
Greg

Get a hold of Craig Hackett, of Newmarket, NH, he races a 5.5 and a 6.0. He may have an old main he can sell you cheap. OR...any used F18 main should fit your mast and you will then have a square top design, wich should give you more power. PS, I've actually been to Northfield! You racing the Cape Cod Frostys too?

WHY would you ever be in Northfield? Relatives?
I don't know about the Cape Cod Frosty's race. (I know a great resturant on the Cape called Captain Frosty's in Dennis MA).
Brian McCarter who posts on this website and lives near the Cape hasn't told me about that race.
I will take your advice on contacting Craig. And looking at the F18 option. Would they be boomless as well?

How is it that the F18 sail is 183 sq feet and the 5.5sl is 241 sq. feet (according to the Performance website)and the F18 sail has more power? Does size mean less than shape and this is a case of "less is more"? Forgive me if that is an idiotic question and obvious to everyone. I'd love to talk to someone knowledgeable about sails for a minute or two. It's a fascinating topic. Is there a cheat sheet of what sails would fit on what boat that anyone has seen?

The 5.5 SL number is with a jib. The mains should be almost exactly the same size and the mast hight should be very much the same...I did forget about the boomless main of the 5.5 however so disregard, it won't work unless you want to remove that track off your old main and add it to the F18 main. I used to have a 5.5 but forgot about no boom.

The Cape Cod Frosty is a very small homebuilt boat, looks like an Opti but SMALLER! There is a fleet (or used to be, when I lived up there) that races in the Portsmouth Harbor on Saturdays all winter...thus the Frosty name. One of the guys who was very into the Cape Cod Frosty racing also lived in Northfield and raced on a small lake up there. I went and raced one once...I barely fit in the boat and I'm only 5'9"!

I grew up in Hampton, went to UNH and flew KC 135's for the NH Air Guard for 8 years, we covered the entire state. Not too hard to do at 500mph. I've driven through Northfield many a time.

That's very interesting. I will have to ask my father in law who builds and races Ice Boats and who was the MIT sailing coach if he knows about the Frosties. I have never heard about them. A friend of mine builds boats as well and I have attached a picture of his latest creation. Maybe he would build me a frosty. I'm not sure I would like Portsmouth harbor in january however.

Here's their web site: www.capecodfrosty.org Take a look and get a good laugh! These things weigh about 54 lbs. all up! You build them from Luan door skin panels and cover with very thin cloth and resin.

They race in the "Back Chanel" just across the street from the Kittery Point Yacht Club on the way out to New Castle. Stop by and check it out next time you are in Portsmouth on a weekend in the winter. Back several years ago the hot stick in Portsmouth was a guy named Pete Follansbee, he may still be there. Check the phone book.

I just checked the "Past Champions" tab on their site, looks like Pete is still quite active, he was the 2004 Chapmpion! He can probably hook you up with a boat if you want to play.

Back to your main sail: Put a post on www.1design.net there were a bunch of 5.5 racers there at one time, several are still active, they might be able to sell you a used main.

Trouble with second hand sails is you dont know how much work it has done or UV it has been exposed to. New is the only way to go, that way you get one that fits your mast, you can have a say in the cut and materials and you get to ask lots and lots of questions of the sailmaker. If they wont talk to you pick another.
Then there is cost, unless its a giveaway price, say 5% of current new price they just are not worth it, I've seen people pay 50% of new for a 5 year old cat sail, not worth it with the downhaul loads we use and it might have been made on the cheap in the first place.
No one ever sells a fast sail.
When they say "its 5 years old but only been used once" there lying.
Buy new, buying secondhand is like buying secondhand jocks, they just dont fit!
When are they going to upgrade the sail on the catsailor logo? That pinhead has to go

Greg, I don't know about those "Frostys" but fleet 448 has H 14 Frostbite races in Newport RI! That monohull is gorgeous! Is it a Sakonnet 23? If I was going mono I'd love to have a boat like that! As for the sail, if you decide to go new, give a few lofts a call. I reccomend Dave Calvert and Calvert Sails in Florida.

Just remember the F18 main requires a boom and the 5.5SL main is boomless withe clew car arrangement when considering a replacement.

Bob

Good eyes Brian! That's exactly what it is. To me, it doesn't look 23 feet long. But I concur.....it is gorgeous.
I've attached another picture that I think should be on a calendar. He moors it just off shore of a Bed & Breakfast on Lake Winnipesaukee and I keep telling him he should charge the B & B for creating such a picturesque scene for the guests.
Thanks for the mention of Calvert Sails. I WILL call them.
I really need an education on sails. What cut, material, etc. would suit best. I'm not even sure what questions I want/need to ask at this point.
Thanks again,
Greg

I bought my Nacra 5.2 sails from Calvert and had a great experience with them.

Greg, Did you say your friend built the boat? What classic beauty! Joel White was my favorite monohull designer! Not an easy boat to build in wood. Great lines and a sleek fast daysailer. There was a small company building them in glass in Mattapoiset(?). In '98 they were 23K new. Maybe I'll find a used one when I retire from cats...Back to the sail: Get a square top!

Ya Brian, he built it nights and weekends. He's named her "Perseverance". It's beautiful. I can't see a flaw.
He practiced first on a dory rowboat to work on his skillset. I'll post a picture of that as well.

I was definately going for the square top. Any advice about materials? I know nothing about sails. I've read/heard about cross-cut or bias cut as well. Mean anything? I'm trying to get my roomate from college, who is a Miller Beer V.P. to call it advertising and pay for it if I put a Miller Light logo on it. Hey, he can only say "No" right?
Greg