Couple of questions- which model boat, what hull # and age, what sailmaker, do you have an adjustable backstay? How much mast rake does the boat carry? Is the boom/gooseneck fixed or sliding? Answers to these would enable an informed response. I am not here to bash ANY sailmakers, there are numerous variables in the boats covered by the group, ( low production numbers delivered) and it is a good idea for any owner to measure the rig and ask the sailmaker if they require additional measurements. Unfortunately this process is not akin to purchasing tires for your car. There are multiple ‘production’ rigs delivered over the years that have substantially different dimensions. Add the ‘owner modified’ changes, ( damaged spars, nonstandard replacements ),and there is quite the variety. I would advise all persons ordering sails from ANY sailmaker to provide accurate measurements of their rig. If the sailmaker doesn’t request measurements, I would consider that an indicator of the company’s less than optimal service. Many sailmakers in the business today are ‘order takers’, meaning they forward an order for a sail (based on the customers request - ACME 21 mainsail 2 reefs) typically to an offshore facility that cuts fabric and assembles sails. Check your sail for a ‘Made in______’ tag. An offshore facility may have little if any experience with your ACME 21 boat or it’s sails. Add the various dimensions due to manufacturing changes, and ill fitting sails can occur if measurements for individual rigs are not provided to the sailmaker. There are data bases for common production sails, BUT, some of these may not fit your boat. If the sailmaker that built your sail is the “ they know your boat / they were the OEM supplier” - please contact them and ask for help - consider each and every boat unique and provide all sailmakers with accurate rig dimensions, including information such as mast bend, typical sailing conditions - light air, flat water, etc, typical headsails/furler used, as this will aid the sailmaker in fitting the product to your boat. BTW - many mainsails on boats with back stays, will brush the stay when tacking. The backstay flicker was devised to assist in extreme cases or when the sail is used in predominantly lighter air conditions. Good luck- contact your sailmaker, good photos of the sail from the backstay perspective will help. Have fUn,go sail! GO On Mon, Jun 24, 2024 at 10:14 AM Jennifer Wood < jennifer@buskersguidetotheuniverse.org> wrote:
Long story short, I asked for a sail cut to OEM size and shape, and they sent me one with a giant roach that hangs into my back stay.
When I asked them to fix it, this is the sail maker's reply. Is this for real, or is it a brush-off?
not completely surprised the sail hits the backstay...It would go through on a tack and is normal. Fully understand the customers mindset. We could trim some of the roach off not too big a deal
I can't see this working well in low winds, and bashing the sail into my rigging doesn't seem good for either.
Given how thoughtfully the boat was designed, is this going to mess with balance and performance?
Thanks for your thoughts.
--Jen