4oz. vs 5oz. Sails

[capt.brian]

Hello to all!!

I am pulling the trigger on some new sails and wanted to get your opinions. I will mostly be sailing on inland lakes with some occasional trips to the Coast. I know that the 4oz. is supposed to be a little better for performance and the 5oz. is supposed to be better for durability. Is there really that much difference. I don't want to sacrifice either. What to do?

[skip1930]

I don't know. What is factory weight of Johnson's sail cloth?
That is what I'd go with.

skip.

[wes]

Brian - I would take into consideration the size. Based on advice from Dirk at National Sail, I went with 5 oz for my main and 4 oz for my 155 genoa. The bigger foresails perform better with lighter fabrics. I'm on the verge of ordering a smaller 110 jib for heavier air, and will likely go with 5 oz for durability, since by definition I'll only use that sail when there's plenty of wind.

Like you, I mostly sail on lakes, where the 155 really helps catch the lighter winds. The 110 will be for my occasional trips to coastal NC where the 155 is often too big. I have a furler, but don't like having to furl so much of the foresail when the wind kicks up.

Ask your sailmaker - they usually have a lot of experience with this issue.

Wes

[slowshoes]

   I just had to make that decision myself. I wrote to Compac and Gerry said their sails are 4 and 4.5 oz. Dirk at National sails stated that after looking up past orders for the Compact 16, it's pretty much 50/50 for customers who order 4 oz vs 5 oz sailcloth.

  When in doubt, I alway go for greater durability, so I went with 5 oz for my new main and jib.

              Fair Winds,
               Bill

[Billy]

I agree w/ Wes.

4 oz for a big genny (140+) when used in light air
5 oz for main and jib in the heavy air

That's what my sail maker said. and he is also a Com-Pac dealer. Masthead Enterprises.

My sails are about 3-4 years old. I use my 150 Genny 85% of the time over my 110 jib. And I can tell the 4oz is already breaking down way faster than my 5oz main sail. Not nearly as crispy.

It all depends on where you sail really. heavy air? go w/ a heavy fabric.

But here in Tampa Bay, these last few weeks, the lighter the sail the better. Ask Nemo about his Nylon sails for light air....

But in the winter I sure am glad I can reef and have my heavy jib!

[capt_nemo]

In light air - NYLON IS KING!

As Billy indicated I've made several Nylon sails for my Sun Cat.



The light air main, a pleasure to make but a pain to rig gaff headed, is shown here.  It is set "flying" above the stowed mainsail and makes the boat move in the lightest air when others are moving under "bare poles" with the iron genny banging away.



Recently made a larger Light Air Drifter out of 3.3 oz Orange Polytarp to check out design dimensions and performance with my 4' bowsprit providing a larger foretriangle area. I was quite pleased with its performance and "slot effect" together with the main. Here's a photo.



A recently made self-tending working jib was made out of 4.0 oz Tan Ploytarp and also works quite well.



Messin' about in boats is great fun!

capt_nemo

[romei]

Would you be interested in making me one of those nylon gaff sails?   I already have the gaff rig on my cp-16.  My sails are heavy and I'd like a nice light one like you have pictured there.

[capt_nemo]

Sorry, I don't make sails for others.

I don't really have enough time to do all the things I want to do on my boats and still take care of life's other demands.

They are not that hard to make. Learning how and making them yourself can be a really satisfying experience.

Or, you can provide the measurements to a sailmaker along with specifying Nylon as the material. However, be prepared for some possible resistance to the concept of a Nylon Mainsail.

For reference, check out the article "The case for the light-air mainsail" in Issue 70 Jan/Feb 2010 Good Old Boat Magazine.

capt_nemo

[romei]

Sorry, I don't make sails for others.

I don't really have enough time to do all the things I want to do on my boats and still take care of life's other demands.

capt_nemo

Understood Sir :-)

If you ever decide that you want to sell the one in the picture because you either don't use it, or you made a better one for yourself, or whatever, please consider me a buyer for that one.

Thanks,
Ron

[capt.brian]

Thanks for everyones input. So what you guys are saying makes since. I think I will go with the 5oz. For the main & 110 jib. And go with the 4oz. for my 155% Genoa. This forum is great. I know everyone really appreciates it. Sail straight.