Seeking advice on new main sail

Hi, I am planning on purchasing a new main sail for Thera, our '77 Cal 2-27 Tall Masted Rig, and am seeking your collective wisdom. I have never purchased a main sail. A little about our sailing habits: we are almost entirely day sailors interested in sailing comfortably , we are not racing, and I plan to install a lazy jack system this summer. I am confused as to whether I should seek out full batten sails or hybrid such as offered by North Sails (2 full and 2 partial batten). I would like the option for at least 1 reef since we do plan to be sailing in the Sound at some point. We are not looking for top of the line sails or top of the line materials, but we would like to purchase a sail that is cut/dimensioned properly for the boat. Any advice on battens, materials, or vendors for this area? Other wisdom? Many thanks in advance, Erik '77 Cal 2-27 HIN 479 Seattle, WA

Erik, We have Magic, a 1979 Cal 2-27, hull #627. We regularly cruise and race. Our main is dacron, loose footed, fully battened, and with one reef point. Our previous main had two reef points and partial battens. I prefer full battens, and if we were off shore for any period of time I would would have a second reef point added. Michael From: "er… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 1:10 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail Hi, I am planning on purchasing a new main sail for Thera, our '77 Cal 2-27 Tall Masted Rig, and am seeking your collective wisdom. I have never purchased a main sail. A little about our sailing habits: we are almost entirely day sailors interested in sailing comfortably , we are not racing, and I plan to install a lazy jack system this summer. I am confused as to whether I should seek out full batten sails or hybrid such as offered by North Sails (2 full and 2 partial batten). I would like the option for at least 1 reef since we do plan to be sailing in the Sound at some point. We are not looking for top of the line sails or top of the line materials, but we would like to purchase a sail that is cut/dimensioned properly for the boat. Any advice on battens, materials, or vendors for this area? Other wisdom? Many thanks in advance,Erik '77 Cal 2-27HIN 479Seattle, WA -- {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;} hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;} {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;} {margin-bottom:10px;} .yiv9170216172ad {padding:0 0;} .yiv9170216172ad p {margin:0;} .yiv9170216172ad a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;} {font-family:Arial;} {margin:10px 0px;font-weight:700;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;} .yiv9170216172ad {margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 0;} {font-family:Verdana;font-size:11px;padding:10px 0;} {background-color:#e0ecee;float:left;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10px;padding:10px;} span {font-weight:700;} span:first-child {text-transform:uppercase;} span a {color:#5085b6;text-decoration:none;} span span {color:#ff7900;} span .yiv9170216172underline {text-decoration:underline;} .yiv9170216172attach {clear:both;display:table;font-family:Arial;font-size:12px;padding:10px 0;width:400px;} .yiv9170216172attach div a {text-decoration:none;} .yiv9170216172attach img {border:none;padding-right:5px;} .yiv9170216172attach label {display:block;margin-bottom:5px;} .yiv9170216172attach label a {text-decoration:none;} blockquote {margin:0 0 0 4px;} .yiv9170216172bold {font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;} .yiv9170216172bold a {text-decoration:none;} dd.yiv9170216172last p a {font-family:Verdana;font-weight:700;} dd.yiv9170216172last p span {margin-right:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:700;} dd.yiv9170216172last p span.yiv9170216172yshortcuts {margin-right:0;} div.yiv9170216172attach-table div div a {text-decoration:none;} div.yiv9170216172attach-table {width:400px;} div.yiv9170216172file-title a, div.yiv9170216172file-title a:active, div.yiv9170216172file-title a:hover, div.yiv9170216172file-title a:visited {text-decoration:none;} div.yiv9170216172photo-title a, div.yiv9170216172photo-title a:active, div.yiv9170216172photo-title a:hover, div.yiv9170216172photo-title a:visited {text-decoration:none;} div p a span.yiv9170216172yshortcuts {font-family:Verdana;font-size:10px;font-weight:normal;} .yiv9170216172green {color:#628c2a;} .yiv9170216172MsoNormal {margin:0 0 0 0;} o {font-size:0;} div {float:left;width:72px;} div div {border:1px solid #666666;height:62px;overflow:hidden;width:62px;} div label {color:#666666;font-size:10px;overflow:hidden;text-align:center;white-space:nowrap;width:64px;} {font-size:77%;} {font-size:77%;} .yiv9170216172replbq {margin:4px;} div a:first-child {margin-right:2px;padding-right:5px;} {font-size:13px;font-family:Arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;} table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;} select, input, textarea {font:99% Arial, Helvetica, clean, sans-serif;} pre, code {font:115% monospace;} * {line-height:1.22em;} {padding-bottom:10px;} p a {font-family:Verdana;} p span {color:#1E66AE;font-weight:700;} {color:#ff7900;font-weight:700;} {margin-bottom:20px;padding:0px;} li a {font-size:130%;text-decoration:none;} li {font-size:77%;list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;} ul {margin:0;padding:0 0 0 8px;} {font-family:Georgia;} p {margin:0 0 1em 0;} tt {font-size:120%;} ul li:last-child {border-right:none !important;}

I'm also planning to buy a new main for my 2-27 this year. Michael D, do you have the stock 5/8" external track & slides, and if so, does that play well with the full battens? I've always heard that full battens can sometimes make raising & dousing more difficult, but maybe it differs for external slides? Also curious to hear thoughts on loose vs. attached foot. Attached seems simpler for us cruisers (one of the "set it and forget it" controls I rarely play with), but I assume the range of outhaul adjustability on a loose foot is important for racing. -Adam in Alameda From: "Michael D md… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 5:53 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail Erik, We have Magic, a 1979 Cal 2-27, hull #627. We regularly cruise and race. Our main is dacron, loose footed, fully battened, and with one reef point. Our previous main had two reef points and partial battens. I prefer full battens, and if we were off shore for any period of time I would would have a second reef point added. Michael From: "er… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 1:10 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail Hi, I am planning on purchasing a new main sail for Thera, our '77 Cal 2-27 Tall Masted Rig, and am seeking your collective wisdom. I have never purchased a main sail. A little about our sailing habits: we are almost entirely day sailors interested in sailing comfortably , we are not racing, and I plan to install a lazy jack system this summer. I am confused as to whether I should seek out full batten sails or hybrid such as offered by North Sails (2 full and 2 partial batten). I would like the option for at least 1 reef since we do plan to be sailing in the Sound at some point. We are not looking for top of the line sails or top of the line materials, but we would like to purchase a sail that is cut/dimensioned properly for the boat. Any advice on battens, materials, or vendors for this area? Other wisdom? Many thanks in advance,Erik '77 Cal 2-27HIN 479Seattle, WA

Adam, Yes, Magic has the original external track & slides. We never have a problem hoisting or dousing as long as we are into the wind or have no pressure on the main. I do lube the track with silicone lubricant if/when things start to get a bit sticky, but we have never had the occasion where things became difficult. As for the loose foot. Loosen the outhaul for down wind to get a better belly in the main. We tighten up the outhaul to flatten the main for better pointing. If you are only cruising, you can probably just work with the bolt rope foot. Michael From: "Adam as… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 2:43 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail I'm also planning to buy a new main for my 2-27 this year. Michael D, do you have the stock 5/8" external track & slides, and if so, does that play well with the full battens? I've always heard that full battens can sometimes make raising & dousing more difficult, but maybe it differs for external slides? Also curious to hear thoughts on loose vs. attached foot. Attached seems simpler for us cruisers (one of the "set it and forget it" controls I rarely play with), but I assume the range of outhaul adjustability on a loose foot is important for racing. -Adam in Alameda From: "Michael D md… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 5:53 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail Erik, We have Magic, a 1979 Cal 2-27, hull #627. We regularly cruise and race. Our main is dacron, loose footed, fully battened, and with one reef point. Our previous main had two reef points and partial battens. I prefer full battens, and if we were off shore for any period of time I would would have a second reef point added. Michael From: "er… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 1:10 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail Hi, I am planning on purchasing a new main sail for Thera, our '77 Cal 2-27 Tall Masted Rig, and am seeking your collective wisdom. I have never purchased a main sail. A little about our sailing habits: we are almost entirely day sailors interested in sailing comfortably , we are not racing, and I plan to install a lazy jack system this summer. I am confused as to whether I should seek out full batten sails or hybrid such as offered by North Sails (2 full and 2 partial batten). I would like the option for at least 1 reef since we do plan to be sailing in the Sound at some point. We are not looking for top of the line sails or top of the line materials, but we would like to purchase a sail that is cut/dimensioned properly for the boat. Any advice on battens, materials, or vendors for this area? Other wisdom? Many thanks in advance,Erik '77 Cal 2-27HIN 479Seattle, WA

External track is a problem waiting to happen if you unstep your mast every winter, and are not extremely careful. I bought the Tides Marine system to convert my 29. One of the best things I spent money on. That sail comes down on it's own when I release the halyard. Your sailmaker will have to change the slides. There is just more friction with the external, and in a blow it's tough to pull that sail down, I know I did it, once.David Dobbs, CAL29 411 On Thursday, May 7, 2015 4:21 PM, "Michael D md… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: Adam, Yes, Magic has the original external track & slides. We never have a problem hoisting or dousing as long as we are into the wind or have no pressure on the main. I do lube the track with silicone lubricant if/when things start to get a bit sticky, but we have never had the occasion where things became difficult. As for the loose foot. Loosen the outhaul for down wind to get a better belly in the main. We tighten up the outhaul to flatten the main for better pointing. If you are only cruising, you can probably just work with the bolt rope foot. Michael From: "Adam as… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 2:43 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail I'm also planning to buy a new main for my 2-27 this year. Michael D, do you have the stock 5/8" external track & slides, and if so, does that play well with the full battens? I've always heard that full battens can sometimes make raising & dousing more difficult, but maybe it differs for external slides? Also curious to hear thoughts on loose vs. attached foot. Attached seems simpler for us cruisers (one of the "set it and forget it" controls I rarely play with), but I assume the range of outhaul adjustability on a loose foot is important for racing. -Adam in Alameda From: "Michael D md… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 5:53 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail Erik, We have Magic, a 1979 Cal 2-27, hull #627. We regularly cruise and race. Our main is dacron, loose footed, fully battened, and with one reef point. Our previous main had two reef points and partial battens. I prefer full battens, and if we were off shore for any period of time I would would have a second reef point added. Michael From: "er… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 1:10 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail Hi, I am planning on purchasing a new main sail for Thera, our '77 Cal 2-27 Tall Masted Rig, and am seeking your collective wisdom. I have never purchased a main sail. A little about our sailing habits: we are almost entirely day sailors interested in sailing comfortably , we are not racing, and I plan to install a lazy jack system this summer. I am confused as to whether I should seek out full batten sails or hybrid such as offered by North Sails (2 full and 2 partial batten). I would like the option for at least 1 reef since we do plan to be sailing in the Sound at some point. We are not looking for top of the line sails or top of the line materials, but we would like to purchase a sail that is cut/dimensioned properly for the boat. Any advice on battens, materials, or vendors for this area? Other wisdom? Many thanks in advance,Erik '77 Cal 2-27HIN 479Seattle, WA

Erik, I purchased a new main a few years ago. My thinking on it was that a couple of full battens up top give the sail a very nice shape and prevent flogging. Yes, in Puget Sound you will probably want one reef point. if you are mostly cruising, that should be sufficient because if the wind is blowing hard enough for a second reef, you will probably not be sailing anyway. I too took the opportunity of buying a Tides Marine track system when I bought the sail. I was concerned that with he old slides, I could not raise or lower the sail except when heading directly into the wind and saw that as a safety issue. This came in handy one evening when I had to sail into my slip and was able to lower the sail while traveling downwind to reduce speed. Buying the track at the same time, I got Ulmann Sails to put the new slides on for me. Enjoy! Terry Spencer Cal 2-29 Capriccio Tacoma > On May 7, 2015, at 2:33 PM, david dobbs tm… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats] <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> wrote: > > > External track is a problem waiting to happen if you unstep your mast every winter, and are not extremely careful. I bought the Tides Marine system to convert my 29. One of the best things I spent money on. That sail comes down on it's own when I release the halyard. Your sailmaker will have to change the slides. There is just more friction with the external, and in a blow it's tough to pull that sail down, I know I did it, once. > David Dobbs, CAL29 411 > > > > > On Thursday, May 7, 2015 4:21 PM, "Michael D md… [at] yahoo.com <mailto:md… [at] yahoo.com> [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com>> wrote: > > > > Adam, > > Yes, Magic has the original external track & slides. We never have a problem hoisting or dousing as long as we are into the wind or have no pressure on the main. I do lube the track with silicone lubricant if/when things start to get a bit sticky, but we have never had the occasion where things became difficult. > > As for the loose foot. Loosen the outhaul for down wind to get a better belly in the main. We tighten up the outhaul to flatten the main for better pointing. If you are only cruising, you can probably just work with the bolt rope foot. > > Michael > > From: "Adam as… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> > To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 2:43 PM > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail > > > I'm also planning to buy a new main for my 2-27 this year. > Michael D, do you have the stock 5/8" external track & slides, and if so, does that play well with the full battens? I've always heard that full battens can sometimes make raising & dousing more difficult, but maybe it differs for external slides? > Also c urious to hear thoughts on loose vs. attached foot. Attached seems simpler for us cruisers (one of the "set it and forget it" controls I rarely play with), but I assume the range of outhaul adjustability on a loose foot is important for racing. > > -Adam in Alameda > > > > From: "Michael D md… [at] yahoo.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> > To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 5:53 AM > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail > > > Erik, > > We have Magic, a 1979 Cal 2-27, hull #627. We regularly cruise and race. Our main is dacron, loose footed, fully battened, and with one reef point. Our previous main had two reef points and partial battens. I prefer full battens, and if we were off shore for any period of time I would would have a second reef point added. > > Michael > > From: "er… [at] gmail.com [Cal_Boats]" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 1:10 AM > Subject: [Cal_Boats] Seeking advice on new main sail > > > Hi, > > I am planning on purchasing a new main sail for Thera, our '77 Cal 2-27 Tall Masted Rig, and am seeking your collective wisdom. I have never purchased a main sail. A little about our sailing habits: we are almost entirely day sailors interested in sailing comfortably , we are not racing, and I plan to install a lazy jack system this summer. I am confused as to whether I should seek out full batten sails or hybrid such as offered by North Sails (2 full and 2 partial batten). I would like the option for at least 1 reef since we do plan to be sailing in the Sound at some point. We are not looking for top of the line sails or top of the line materials, but we would like to purchase a sail that is cut/dimensioned properly for the boat. > > Any advice on battens, materials, or vendors for this area? Other wisdom? > > Many thanks in advance, > Erik > '77 Cal 2-27 > HIN 479 > Seattle, WA > > > > > > > > > >