Bought a UK Tape Drive #2 for non-spin PHRF racing. We get into the #1 or #3 thing several times a year. You either get beat up going uphill with the #1 or give up downhill sail area with the #3. So I asked for a flat #2 that just sheets to the last two holes on the existing track while still being a "deck sweeper."

I got what I asked for. Love the sail, but one thing surprises me. I was expecting the LP to be bigger than the class max for the #2 (not that the sail is class legal given the materials and tapes). The IMS cert. that came with it puts it exactly at class max LP, 16.1' = 4907mm.

What gives? I thought the #2 had a high clew because it was too short. My old one certainly does.

Mark,
Sailmaker can lower clew by lengthening leech and slightly shortening foot, keeping LP the same. (Check yesterday's post on measuring LP.) Some clew height desirable to adjust lead, unless you're at the track-end anyway. Sweep is added with extra "skirt" material on the foot.