So I finalised the new mainsail order today.
Quite a few steps involved with your local sail maker.

1. Measure the boat
Get the P and E measurement (not using a plastic tape).
Pull backstay 1/2 on and get luff round estimations at the girths
Pull back stay to max and get the girth noting how much adjustment there is in the Ds.

2. Check measurements against designed sail plan to eliminate error.

3. Get the sailmaker to go through the computer archive to find past designs for similar or identical sails.

4. Compare all the older designs ( in this case 5 previous sails all on the computer screen in front of me)

5. Compare the type of sail construction and cloth specifications.(in this case 3 different construction types and 3 different cloth types )

6. Choose best design for chosen cloth. (In this case GPL lite skin for durability given the weight)

7. Adjust chosen design for to take into account cloth characteristics. (In this case, slighter fuller head as chosen cloth is very stable and often results on slightly flatter sail than design.

8. Check designed luff round measurement against estimated measurements ( If Luff round does not match the mast bend it is not really a sail)

8. Decide on extras such a batten material, one reef or no reef, headboard size etc (In this case re using old carbon battens)

9. Send your design to supplier to cut panels.

10. Pre cut panels arrive and assembly begins.

11. Still can make decision about batten pocket construction/weight/ which end loads etc.

12. Watch sail been assembled!

Happy to explain any step.

The beauty of modern computer sail design is the ability to duplicate results or tinker as you wish.

Pictures in news at 11.00!

My old Boat?

lydia said..
Been a bit of discussion around here about ordering new sails!

There has been yes! But are you talking racing or cruising? My new sails where made to fit my last new rig and we went no where near the process you are going through! Ray brown sails fitted to a Dunc 37 sloop.

lydia said..
A good sail is a good sail and a bad sail a bad sail.
No difference between racing or cruising!

A racing sail is designed to obtain the best speed, longevity is a secondary consideration. They will invariably be of lighter and more expensive materials. A racing sail is replaced regularly to maintain competitiveness.
A cruising sail is designed to maintain a reasonable performance over a long period of time. Usually of a heavier weight cloth than a racing sail with extra reinforcing in areas of wear. A cruising sail is replaced at longer intervals.

MB with all respect the world has changed, the stability of the cloth and construction modes mean so called race sails now have a life of many years if they are treated properly.
The biggest threat is leaving them on the boat not using them.

lydia said..
MB with all respect the world has changed, the stability of the cloth and construction modes mean so called race sails now have a life of many years if they are treated properly.
The biggest threat is leaving them on the boat not using them.

With all respect Lydia there is a difference. I have fitted a Norths 3DL cruising mainsail. The base sail is much the same but the cruising sail has additional taffeta added to both sides, and added UV protection as my sail is boom furling. We are talking a very high end cruising sail, not like has been discussed recently on this forum.

lydia said..
I think you miss the point whether a racing sail or cruising sail you still want a good sail.
Trick question, look at the Far East Sail gallery and would put any of those sails on your boat?
There is one set which looks good the rest are rubbish.

You clearly have a 'thing' about Fareast sails. Yes, I put a Fareast sail on my boat, as have many others on this forum. I and many others are completely happy with their sails.
Your implication that somebody who uses a Fareast sail is not up to your high standards says more about you than them.

Can the rubbishing of fareast sails stop please.
My thread was removed by the moderators becauae I regretfully lost the plot at a few people for continually voicing their opinions in some of my threads.

Lydia is entitled to have an opinion about F/E sails, I'm interested to know more of the details of what makes them good or bad.(I'm not that good with trick questions) I just bought a new main from the local guys and it cost me 4k. But this thread is about Lydias new sail, I would be quite happy to hear Lydias opinion of F/E detailed in the nightmare thread.