New sail sags over lower spar

[rbeaton]

I put on a new sail the other day but noticed that the sail sags a bit over the lower spar (see attachment). I don't remember my last sail doing this. Is this normal, or is there something I can do to tighten things up a bit?

 

[derekcjackson]

It is really hard to tell what is happening from the picture. But, my guess is that the sail is cut fuller and/or your outhaul is pulled too tight on the boom. If your prior sail was pretty old and blown out, it may have stretched significantly which allowed you to tighten it that far out on the boom.

 

[AQBill]

Also looks like your gaff is slightly bent aft above the halyard attachment point.

 

[davavd]

the sail is cut fuller and/or your outhaul is pulled too tight on the boom. If your prior sail was pretty old and blown out, it may have stretched significantly which allowed you to tighten it that far out on the boom.

I agree. That fold may go away once there is some wind pressure on the sail. Then you can adjust the outhaul properly. Bottom line : this is a good thing.

 

[PBA]

I'm with the "gaf is bent" club, and think it will stay as is until you decide to take everything off and bend back the gaf (a group of trees works well in this application).

As long as it's working fine, I'd also leave it along for now, and bend it back during the winter downtime...

 

[Porpoise2]

"...Bottom line : this is a good thing..."

My same thought too. I have an old competition sail, which I would describe as "bloused", rather than just "sags".

A new sail with this "fault" can't be a bad thing.