First, try
to measure your old sail by stretching it out over a flat surface. If this
is not easily done, try using a long tape measure and measuring the sail
while it is on the boat. This could be difficult on a windy day, but if
space is a premium, this can work.
Now, go to
the sail record and find the measurement page. Using your long tape measure,
measure the (1) luff length. This is the length of the front of the sail
from the tack eye, to the head of the sail.
Next, (2)
measure the foot of the sail from the tack eye to the clew eye. The tack
is at the bottom of the front of the sail marked luff and the clew is at
the bottom back of the sail.
Measure the
leech (3) of the sail by measuring from the head of the sail or top, down
to the clew of the sail. Notice that the leech has an inward curve.
By measuring
the depth of the curve from the tape measure, into the true edge of the
leech, you will get a number in the range of 4 to 12 inches or more. See
the diagram and you will see that the maximum depth or "hollow", is approximately
50 % of the length of the leech. This is where you would measure the depth
for the leech hollow.
Getting back
to the foot of the sail which you have measured already, this also has
a curve we call "rounding". This is the depth of the foot from the true
straight line out to a final curve. See the diagram for an example and
you will see the maximum curve is approximately 50 % of the length of the
foot.
Cloth is a
subject best left for the sail maker and how and where you will be
using it. Dacron has many different weights and thread weaves. If you desire
just a simple cross cut sail, then there are many to choose from. Laminates.
can also be an option in a radial design. Also with a radial design, you
can mix weights of cloth for maximum strength and less weight overall.
Last we need
to know the fittings that are on the sail. How it is attached headstay,
foil or furling unit. The form is there for you to understand where to
measure and to fill out. Remember if you measure carefully, you will have
a sail that works well the first time it is hanked on the stay. |