You have read about the unsuitability of uncut sailboard sails for land yachts.
However if they are rigged correctly on the mast they were intended for (written on the sail) with heavy downhaul pressure they are perfect as they are for our yachts.
Most land yachts don't use anywhere near enough downhaul tension to make these uncut windsurfer sails set properly.
The result of this is a sail that is too full.
Give it a try. It will surprise you.
better get some pics and details happening chook , cos i tried and failed. perhaps you have a golden touch to go with that trophy
I promise to knock you off the podium next champs
Select to expand quotelandyacht said..
better get some pics and details happening chook , cos i tried and failed. perhaps you have a golden touch to go with that trophy
I promise to knock you off the podium next champs
Landyacht, He has a cam sail there so that's even harder. But the main aim is to downhaul to, or as close to sail specs on the sail. If not sure, you will see a nice crease edging towards the mast in the second panel down from top (one below the V8 sticker) as you pull the dowhaul on. Get the crease to be about 2/3rds across towards the mast for "about right" downhaul.
But in land yachts, be very very careful with the carbon mast. They don't like sitting in the sun and heat and will snap without any warning. So if you rig up for a run, make sure you head out directly, don't let it stay in one place, with full downhaul. Keep the mast and sail rigged but not down hauled ,and in the shade if possible, until you are ready to go.. Then last thing, pull downhaul, then head out. 
When you get back, back off settings,and put in shade once more.
Probably a combination of downhaul and rough ground we run, but found that i needed to pin wood stiffener to mast, was chasing damage to bottom of mast a lot. We also drop a racquetball in step and let mast ride on that, eliminates all of your odd noises. Running 20 plus year old windsurfer rigs this way, does work.
Totally agree mineral1
Very hard to keep them in the shade out in the middle of a salt lake, but I certainly do ease the downhaul off when I pull up. It's just a quick flick to let it off. Also when sailing a quick ease out on the downhaul and the sail is fuller. That's why the cord is under my cushion ready.
I also keep the masts and booms in the shade under the trailer when not being used.
Only a cam cleat triple block is needed at the bottom of the mast/step, as most sails have a triple or quad already built into them.
I have a triple at the top so I can undo a shackle to quickly change sails and not have to rethread the cord without my glasses on.
It's a bugger to get old.
Select to expand quoteChook2 said..
Totally agree mineral1
Very hard to keep them in the shade out in the middle of a salt lake, but I certainly do ease the downhaul off when I pull up. It's just a quick flick to let it off. Also when sailing a quick ease out on the downhaul and the sail is fuller. That's why the cord is under my cushion ready.
I also keep the masts and booms in the shade under the trailer when not being used.
Only a cam cleat triple block is needed at the bottom of the mast/step, as most sails have a triple or quad already built into them.
I have a triple at the top so I can undo a shackle to quickly change sails and not have to rethread the cord without my glasses on.
It's a bugger to get old.
I hear you add your own "music?" to the clip
No the sail is completely standard with only a small triangle added to the sail on the out haul as the rear eyelet was very high.
With it as a standard sail it worked well but the mod smoothed a few slight wrinkles when fully sheeted.
Yes TP1, I always hum or get caught singing to myself. My wife is always cutting crook about it.
With additional material added to the clew you can get your boom flatter. How do you go for out haul. I would think the sail would be quite deep( full draught). You run a rowlock on the end of the boom. Can you post a picture of your tack/boom/ downhaul arrangement please.
Here are some pictures of dad's yacht "Termite's Breakfast" with uncut 6.9m light wind sail. He reports its great for light wind 5-8kn enough to get rolling. He said its rigged on a 490 glass mast with carbon tip extension. Apparently boom wasn't long enough so timber extension was used. I not sure how the telecom sheet rope went.
It's good to see him experimenting with uncut windsurfer sails. I think he has retired "Big Blue" (Blue Tarp Sail) and the "Bat Sail" (Black Poly and Timber Cable Tied Battens).
Select to expand quote
BenBoulder said..
With additional material added to the clew you can get your boom flatter. How do you go for out haul. I would think the sail would be quite deep( full draught). You run a rowlock on the end of the boom. Can you post a picture of your tack/boom/ downhaul arrangement please.
Sorry Ben I just found your note. Somehow I've added the pic to your quote.
The outhaul is pulled as tight as possible. If the boom is longer it needs to have the sail lashed down to the boom and then the outhaul tension applied. It needs a separate loop of cord from the rear eyelet to down around the boom. This makes the sheeting a bit more precise, as the outhaul cord isn't at an angle. Tight as a drum.
The draught is controlled mainly by the downhaul setting.
"Termite's Breakfast" Love that name!!!
It's looking good.
I can see a mast step being shifted forward here.
She needs MUCH more downhaul in the photo, as the sail is still wrapped round the mast. (I realize the outhaul is still being customized.)
I make the bottom batten tensioner slightly shorter (in from the bottom edge of the sail) so it doesn't foul on the boom when tacking.
Love your work guy's.
tried to test some uncut windsurfing sails. but no wind.
yes lots of downhaul and more vertical mast post.
DILIGAFF (grey yacht)5.5m NP 4 Cam vs Termite's Breakfast (Green) Gaastra 6.9m 3 Cam
no wind so no testing. Headed back to town to make wheels with Landyacht.
Lovin' your work fellas.
My suggestions only Ben.
I would weld a second mast step/stalk, onto your Dads yacht up as close to the steering pedals as possible and set it at 90 degrees to the chassis.
Then drop the sail right down so the boom just clears his head. He would have the best of both worlds then. Multiple choices of CE.
Light wind sailing at it's best.
Keep the pics up fellas.
I've been waiting............. Awesome!!!!
I would now be very worried Ben.
Might have been a good while since your old man gave you a whippin', but lookout.
Sailing photos when you test them please.
Another mini for lefroy in September.
I gave my old yacht parts to the HV sparky at work. It is TALY chassis with Frog's Leg's 1 Seat.
Alum mast with tip extension.
Today spent several hours helping him work on his yacht. Sails are 7.0m and 3.9 uncut windsurfer sails.
Went for a test sail on a car park. Fun dodging rugby kids and cars. Wind was pretty poor.
The sparky has all the components of a working mini its now up to him to fine tune and modify his yacht to suit his needs.
