Fw: [Rhodes22-list] Rope luff pad question

Fri Feb 9 12:01:38 EST 2007

Wally,

Of course I am planning to share the info about my new Cruising Direct sail
from with da list.  Dan Calore is working on a graphic image showing the
high clew and the "molds" they use to design the sail shape.  I'll pass it
on when I get it.

Basically, a light air sail needs to be lightweight.  Raven has a 20+ y/o
Lee 175 that's 5-6oz and when the wind is really light it just won't fill -- 
but it has hard a very, very long useful life at that cloth weight.
Granted, I probably race in conditions when most would furl and motor, but
with the right sail you can keep going.  The new sail is Dacron on one side
and Mylar on the other.  It's 3.2 oz with a white leech/foot "coating" for
UV so it can be left on the CDI.  Dan says the sail is designed to a little
over 30 knots (before it blows apart) and should last about 7 years the way
I sail.  By contrast, their Dacron sail would be about $200 cheaper and
weigh about 4.7 oz.  But it won't hold a great shape for as long as the
laminated cloth sail will, so I think the laminate actually gives longer
"great sail shape" life.

The standard GBI issue Doyle 175 is a pretty good compromise for those with
only one headsail.  It's at best in 6-10, needs to be furled much over that
and, as mentioned above, my heavy old Lee 175 won't hold shape in very light
air.   In PHRF racing it would also accrue a 9 point rating penalty and I
just didn't want to go there...

The sail is built to measurements I took off  Raven's and her CDI.
Fortunately, Raven came with a max length CDI, only short by about 5" from
the mast crane.

As I recall:

    38-40% maximum draft forward
    enough twist to clear the spreaders, not much more
    high clew - about 2' ( I like to see to leeward)
    max luff (CDI - 1")
    leech is slight concave
    foot is roached
    optimized to set full at rear of track, car moves forward as furled
    max LP = 155 on the money

I'll let you know more later.

PT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "TN Rhodey" <tnrhodey at hotmail.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 8:42 AM
Subject: RE: Fw: [Rhodes22-list] Rope luff pad question

> Doug - Both of the sails that came with my boat had rope luff. I haven't
> used a foam luff so I can't compare but the rope luff worked great when
> furled.
>
> PT - I am curious about your new sail. I am ordering a sail this spring
and
> half been considering all of the options. I have held off long
enough...well
> actually too long. I am leaning towards dacron because I will leave the
sail
> on the boat. I am guessing yours is a race sail; is there a sacrificial
> strip? Did you bother with window?  My current quantum sail is dacron and
> the sacrifical strip is a heavier grade dacron. It holds shape much better
> than some of the heavier cloths used. The dacron lasted 6 years and is
just
> now showiing signs of wear. I am thinging of ordering the same...did you
> provide actual measurements or did they have something "on file"? I know
you
> will update us when you recieve....oh yeah how long did they say it would
> take?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Wally
>
>
> >From: "Peter Thorn" <pthorn at nc.rr.com>
> >Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >To: "Rhodes 22 List Members" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >CC: Dan Calore <dan at direct.northsails.com>
> >Subject: Fw: [Rhodes22-list] Rope luff pad question
> >Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 15:11:37 -0500
> >
> >Doug,
> >
> >I really don't know, but passed your note to Dan Calore, who just sold me
a
> >PHRF optimized semi-mylar 3.2 oz 155, and got Dan's response below.
> >
> >Cruising Direct is North's discount high volume outlet.  Sold on the web
in
> >Rhode Island, designed in San Diego (by North guys) and manufactured in
Sri
> >Lanka.  Globalization has hit sails!  The price was excellent, but I
> >haven't
> >received the sail yet.  They were responsive to my concerns for a max
luff
> >and high clew.  They guaranteed critical measurements (luff and LP) to
> >reasonable tolerance, +/- 2" everywhere else.  We'll see...
> >
> >Good luck with your new sail.
> >
> >PT
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Dan Calore" <dan at direct.northsails.com>
> >To: "'Peter Thorn'" <pthorn at nc.rr.com>
> >Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 2:53 PM
> >Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Rope luff pad question
> >
> >
> > > Peter,
> > >    We actually use the RopeLuff pad as well.   As far as cost goes the
> > > ropeluff is cost more money to manufacture and install then a foam
luff.
> > > North Sails is using the Ropeluff pads on almost every sail, because
> >they
> > > maintain their shape over the life of the sail better then a foam
luff,
> >they
> > > do not absorb water  or mildew as quickly as a foam luff either.
> >Another
> > > advantage is that you can remove the rope from the luff pocket and
> >reinstall
> > > it relatively easily if you so desire.   Having sailed with both the
> >foam
> > > and rope I think that the ropeluff gives you better shape when
partially
> > > furled and would go with that on my own boat.
> > >
> > > Peter I hope this helps, if you need more detail please let me know.
> > >
> > > Dan Calore
> > > Cruising Direct Sails
> > > North Sails
> > > 1-888-424-7328
> > > 1-401-366-6012
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Peter Thorn [mailto:pthorn at nc.rr.com]
> > > Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 2:43 PM
> > > To: Dan Calore
> > > Subject: Fw: [Rhodes22-list] Rope luff pad question
> > >
> > > Dan,
> > >
> > > This came in on the Rhodes 22 list-serve today.  I would appreciate
your
> > > comments.  As I recall you use foam luffs, right?
> > >
> > > PT
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Gardner, Douglas (LNG-DAY)" <douglas.gardner at lexisnexis.com>
> > > To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 2:27 PM
> > > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Rope luff pad question
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi everybody,
> > >
> > > Do any of you have experience with a rope luff pad?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I just received my new 150% Genoa, and had specified a seafoam luff
pad.
> > > However, it was delivered from Doyle with a rope luff pad.  I know
that
> > > North is touting the rope luff as the next great thing (doesn't
> > > compress, doesn't absorb water, etc.).  But it seems to me that its
> > > greatest advantage is that it is easy to install, and that is probably
> > > why Doyle is going with it too.  Stan said that all of their larger
> > > sails still come with the foam pad, so he doesn't know what is going
on.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Before I send it back to Doyle and tell them to send me what I asked
> > > for, I'd like some opinions on whether or not I should be glad I have
> > > the rope luff pad instead of the foam pad. My web searches haven't
> > > turned up anything but the company propaganda, so I really don't have
an
> > > objective opinion.  I won't have the opportunity to try it until May,
> > > and my guess is that will be a little late to tell them to do it
right!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --Doug Gardner
> > >
> > > s/v Fretnaught
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > >
> > >
> > > Visit us at http://www.northsails.com
> > >
> > > [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Visit us at http://www.northsails.com
> > >
> > > [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus]
> >
> >__________________________________________________
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