Replacing sails

[mrtwiddlecups]

So In an effort to get my little tub to sail closer to the wind I've read that a foiled rudder helps tremendously so I did that. I'm not sure if the foiled rudder I made is an improvement as 56 degrees off the wind was my best before the foiled rudder and I got 56 off the wind after. I have far more data from before the foiled rudder so more testing is necessary. I've also read that sails make a big difference too. I'm only going to replace one at a time because sails seem expensive. I have a 3/4 rig.

• should I do a big bowsprit project and move to 7/8 and get a new headsail to match?
• Should I leave my boat alone and get a new headsail?
• Should I get a new mainsail?

I'm leaning to option mainsail because that will give me time to scratch my chin on the head-sail question but I've read that a new head sail will help more than a new mainsail as far as pointing is concerned. Any thoughts? I do a lot of sailing on the lakes and the lakes always seems to funnel the wind down their longer side so sailing better to wind would be nice...

[AirborneJarhead]

I was sailing my 16-1 last Sunday and could not believe how poorly she could beat to windward (should say to breezeward). Putting new sails up will help a little, but ultimately, the only way to make any significant improvements would be a deeper keel or daggerboard/centerboard! One of the compromises of being able to cruise shallow waters, I guess.
I used to sail a Windrider trimaran with no foresail and was always experimenting with daggerboards to gain performance to windward.

[greg988]

I added a foiled rudder this year for the first time and saw maybe a 10% improvement over the original rudder, so I agree it's not a big change. 

[AirborneJarhead]

I need one of those myself. Curious...how much did it set you back?

[mrtwiddlecups]

I made mine out of pine 2 by 2's and some titebond. Maybe 18$ but we'll see how long it lasts.