Marblehead panelled sails - 1000 to 1900mm mainsail luff

PANELLED SAILS

Fabrication from separate panels permits an extra degree of freedom in shaping the sails during construction. Headsails normally comprise three panels. Mainsails comprise four panels, with battens at the seams.

Choose mainsail luff length between 1000 & 1900 mm.

Choose main/headsail ratio based on their measured areas;

62%:38% "O Series" or 59%:41% "V Series" or sails for QUARK, PRIME NUMBER or NIOUTRAM.

NIOUTRAM design sizes are for 1875 (choose 1850), 1600, 1400, 1200 and 1000 luff only.

Cord luff is not an option for panelled sails.

Q  Can you put  the forestay wire in the headsail luff pocket when you make my sails?
A This is something we do not do unless you will call to collect the sails. When we roll up sails for posting we first lay them on a sheet of kraft paper so that each roll of the sail surface is seprated by a layer of paper. This stops the hard points (battens, headboard, reinforced areas) from imprinting a mark on another part of the sail. Even so we have found that the hard line formed by a luff wire in a sail will print through onto the sail leaving a line parallel to the luff from head to clew. This is not appreciated by our customers. If the sails are sent back they usually have two lines imprinted in them.

The process of adding the luff wire to a small pocket on the luff of a sail is a simple one if the procedure is followed correct.y. It is decribed in these FAQs below and also under the relevcant products W045, W060 anmd W075.

Q  How do I get the luff wire down the headsail luff pocket?
A   Make sure you are using seven strand wire - W060, 0.6 mm diameter for IOM, Marblehead, Ten Rater and 6 Metre sails, W075, 0.75 mm diameter for A Class sails. Use W045, 0.45 mm diameter wire for mainsail luff jacklines/jackstays. Use seven strand wire because it lays straight and will be easy to pass down the luff pocket. Unless it is pre-straightened using single strand wire for this task will be very difficult and will cause the sail to tend to roll up when off the boat.
Place the sail on a firm flat surface and cut a length of wire about 100 mm longer than the sail luff. Check the end you will push into the pocket does not have a sharp point or chisel like edge. If it does it is best to make another cut or use a diamond file or piece of abrasive paper to remove the sharp edge. If you don't do this you run the risk of damaging the luff tape. Introduce the end into the luff pocket and, while holding the sail down with one hand, use the other hand to push the wire in 100 mm at a time until it emerges from the other end.

If the wire becomes difficult to push down the pocket, make an exit in the pocket at the next sail seam and pull the wire through. Then push it into the pocket from there.