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Determine the Luff Length
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The
first step to selecting the correct PC headsail for your boat is
to determine the appropriate luff length. The PC headsail
luff length selection is graduated in 6" increments,
guaranteeing an almost perfect fit for every boat.
If
you have an existing headsail which fits well, you can measure
its luff to determine the luff length for your new sail.
Remember, bolt rope luffs on older sails can shrink
significantly over time. Using your existing sail as
a starting point could result in a luff length which is shorter
than optimal for your new sail.
The
correct luff length for your new headsail will be approximately
equal to your boats "I" dimension, which can be found
in our Rig Dimension Database.
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To measure
your maximum luff length, simply attach a measuring tape to your halyard
shackle, raise the halyard as far as it goes, and record the measurement
to the bearing surface of your tack shackle.
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If you
have a roller furling system, you will need to attach the
measuring tape to your halyard swivel where the sail attaches,
and your halyard to the halyard swivel as it is normally
attached. With the halyard swivel fully hoisted, record
the measurement to the bearing surface of the tack shackle on
the drum of your roller furler. |
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remember that you must allow for the luff of your sail to
stretch under load. You should select a luff length which
is at least 1% shorter than maximum. If you have a roller
furling system, it is important that the halyard swivel is high
enough to prevent your halyard from wrapping around the headstay
when you furl and unfurl. Please see our Roller Furling
Considerations page for more information. |
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If
you have a toe rail track which runs the length of your boat, it
is not necessary for you to check the sheeting location of your
new sail as PC headsails are designed to fit any boat with toe
rail tracks.
If you have an
inboard genoa track, you should check to make sure the track is
located in a position which will allow you to trim your new sail
properly. The easiest way to check your track location is
by our "String Method".
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| If you have roller
furling, chances are that you have aluminum or plastic
extrusions into which a rope on the luff (front) of your sail is
inserted. Sailmakers call this rope a luff tape, and you
will need to select the correct size.
Our Luff Tape Selection page has
size recommendations from all the major furler manufacturers.
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As always,
please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
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