FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I have a model sailboat that I built from a kit, do you make replacement sails for it? If so, what do you need from me?
A: We make replacement sails for virtually any model boat that is on the water. If it is a kit boat with kit sails the easiest thing for you to do is send the kit sails along with your order. This will allow us to produce sails for you that precisely match the kit profile. We'll return the kit sails with your new sails. With some of the most popular kits we have already made masonite patterns so you should check to see whether your kit sails will be needed.
A: We make replacement sails for virtually any model boat that is on the water. If it is a kit boat with kit sails the easiest thing for you to do is send the kit sails along with your order. This will allow us to produce sails for you that precisely match the kit profile. We'll return the kit sails with your new sails. With some of the most popular kits we have already made masonite patterns so you should check to see whether your kit sails will be needed.
Q: How should I attach my mainsail to my mast?
A: Depends on the type of mast you have and the size of the sails you will be using.
Carbon fiber, aluminum tube and round section wooden masts work well with mast loops tied through reinforced patches on the sail luff and around the mast. Vertical spacing can vary from 4" on small classes like the Victoria up to 6" on International A-boats. This method works best on smaller boats or boats to be sailed in light air, for the sail loads are concentrated at the mast loops which wear faster and can allow scalloping in heavier gusts.
Larger classes of boats (boats that will be heavily used in competition and boats that choose to use aluminum extrusion masts such as the Ozmun Design GoldSpar) seem to benefit from use of a jackwire arrangement. Here the luff hem of the mainsail sits on a wire which is held by a row of cotter pins inserted along the after centerline of the mast. Little windows are cut in the sail luff leading edge to clear the cotter pins. On GoldSpar masts, mast slides with a figure-8 cross section are used to slide in the bolt-rope track and to hold the jackwire for the sail luff to ride on. Mast slides are provided with sail orders that specify this method of attachment.
A: Depends on the type of mast you have and the size of the sails you will be using.
Carbon fiber, aluminum tube and round section wooden masts work well with mast loops tied through reinforced patches on the sail luff and around the mast. Vertical spacing can vary from 4" on small classes like the Victoria up to 6" on International A-boats. This method works best on smaller boats or boats to be sailed in light air, for the sail loads are concentrated at the mast loops which wear faster and can allow scalloping in heavier gusts.
Larger classes of boats (boats that will be heavily used in competition and boats that choose to use aluminum extrusion masts such as the Ozmun Design GoldSpar) seem to benefit from use of a jackwire arrangement. Here the luff hem of the mainsail sits on a wire which is held by a row of cotter pins inserted along the after centerline of the mast. Little windows are cut in the sail luff leading edge to clear the cotter pins. On GoldSpar masts, mast slides with a figure-8 cross section are used to slide in the bolt-rope track and to hold the jackwire for the sail luff to ride on. Mast slides are provided with sail orders that specify this method of attachment.
Q: Why shouldn't I use the bolt-rope in the mainsail luff like the big boats do?
A: The short answer is you can. Skippers who are building scale sail boats where appearance is important will often adopt this as a reflection of prototype practice.
But if you wish the best sail shape and entry angle control in the leading edge of the sail where all the power is generated, the jackwire approach would be preferred.
A: The short answer is you can. Skippers who are building scale sail boats where appearance is important will often adopt this as a reflection of prototype practice.
But if you wish the best sail shape and entry angle control in the leading edge of the sail where all the power is generated, the jackwire approach would be preferred.
Q: What kind of sail cloth do I need?
A: If your interest and focus is competition, mylar sail materials have proven to have the appropriate range of weights and the dimensional stability to meet the needs of virtually all reasonable sized model yachts. TrisSpi mylars are a two-layer membrane with a grid of load carrying fibers sandwiched in between. They are strong, easy to read, and exhibit long life when treated carefully and stored with all tensions removed.
Most popular classes of model yachts with hulls from 36" to 70" generally require a 1.2 oz mylar, called PX75 for all-purpose use in winds from 0 to 20 mph. Larger boats like America's Cup Class boats and classes that allow storm or reduced sized rigs move up to a heavier material in the 1.2 - 1.3 oz range. Really large boats like the International A, and the huge J-boats tend to retain an interest in historically representative materials like 3 oz Dacron.
A: If your interest and focus is competition, mylar sail materials have proven to have the appropriate range of weights and the dimensional stability to meet the needs of virtually all reasonable sized model yachts. TrisSpi mylars are a two-layer membrane with a grid of load carrying fibers sandwiched in between. They are strong, easy to read, and exhibit long life when treated carefully and stored with all tensions removed.
Most popular classes of model yachts with hulls from 36" to 70" generally require a 1.2 oz mylar, called PX75 for all-purpose use in winds from 0 to 20 mph. Larger boats like America's Cup Class boats and classes that allow storm or reduced sized rigs move up to a heavier material in the 1.2 - 1.3 oz range. Really large boats like the International A, and the huge J-boats tend to retain an interest in historically representative materials like 3 oz Dacron.
Q: Do you have ready made sails in stock ready to ship?
A: Since each skipper's sailing conditions, boat and sailing activities are different, we make most sets of sails to order, specifically designed, cut and assembled to optimize their performance in the skipper's conditions.
A: Since each skipper's sailing conditions, boat and sailing activities are different, we make most sets of sails to order, specifically designed, cut and assembled to optimize their performance in the skipper's conditions.
Q: How long will I have to wait for my sails?
A: Sail orders are processed in the sequence that they are received. Depending on the time of year, the sail can be shipped out in as little as 1 day after receipt of the order. Our recent experience shows that we actually ship 95% of our orders within 3 days. We ship almost all of our sails by USPS Priority Mail so they typically spend only two or three days enroute. As you place your order, we will generally tell you how long the turnaround time is. A little anticipation will help you avoid the spring and summer rush. Plan well ahead if you are getting sails for a big event. You really need to have the sails a month or two before you will race with them, so that you can work up the tuning and trimming requirements to make them perform to their peak potential.
Orders placed from outside of the United States are send by Priority International service which provides both insurance and tracking. While somewhat expensive it guarantees delivery and generally provides 10 - 14 day service.
We don't allow cutting ahead in line, so emergencies are taken in turn just like all the other orders.
A: Sail orders are processed in the sequence that they are received. Depending on the time of year, the sail can be shipped out in as little as 1 day after receipt of the order. Our recent experience shows that we actually ship 95% of our orders within 3 days. We ship almost all of our sails by USPS Priority Mail so they typically spend only two or three days enroute. As you place your order, we will generally tell you how long the turnaround time is. A little anticipation will help you avoid the spring and summer rush. Plan well ahead if you are getting sails for a big event. You really need to have the sails a month or two before you will race with them, so that you can work up the tuning and trimming requirements to make them perform to their peak potential.
Orders placed from outside of the United States are send by Priority International service which provides both insurance and tracking. While somewhat expensive it guarantees delivery and generally provides 10 - 14 day service.
We don't allow cutting ahead in line, so emergencies are taken in turn just like all the other orders.
Q: Do you put racing numbers and insignia on the sails?
A: On mylar sails we ink numbers, insignia, and draft stripes on the sails for an additional charge. The trick to good looking numbers is to use stencils, spend plenty of time in aligning things, and don't rush. You can use an alcohol based magic marker, (we use Marks-A-Lot) and avoid getting ink on any stitching. Marks on the mylar can be completely removed using a Kleenex and a little acetone. For maximum visibility we suggest marking racing numbers on both sides of the sails for opacity and sharpness. Make sure you check your Class Rules so that your numbers are the size and placement that are required.
On Dacron sails we use adhesive insignia cloth for numbers and symbols for an additional charge These are available in the same colors as the tack and clew patch reinforcements mentioned in our Catalog.
A: On mylar sails we ink numbers, insignia, and draft stripes on the sails for an additional charge. The trick to good looking numbers is to use stencils, spend plenty of time in aligning things, and don't rush. You can use an alcohol based magic marker, (we use Marks-A-Lot) and avoid getting ink on any stitching. Marks on the mylar can be completely removed using a Kleenex and a little acetone. For maximum visibility we suggest marking racing numbers on both sides of the sails for opacity and sharpness. Make sure you check your Class Rules so that your numbers are the size and placement that are required.
On Dacron sails we use adhesive insignia cloth for numbers and symbols for an additional charge These are available in the same colors as the tack and clew patch reinforcements mentioned in our Catalog.
Q: Do you sell sail cloth and sail making supplies?
A: No. We only sell race-ready, finished sails constructed to meet your requirements.
A: No. We only sell race-ready, finished sails constructed to meet your requirements.