J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment What Sails are Fast & Last Long?

The Nola loft seems to do it's own thing generally. I'm sure Benz will talk with anyone to help get his designs working for your boat.

I believe the other designs come from the Annapolis area. Willy Keyworth there has sailed with J/30s a bit, but I don't believe he designed the sails.

The jib that Zephyr had up was very different from the rest of the North jibs at the NA's (it was a tri radial panel sail for one thing), and was definitely an independent Benz creation.

The 3DL jibs all appear about the same.

Yeah, it also looked more rounded in the entry to my eye, compared to our 3DR, the various 3DLs, and even our older panelled pentex triradial, from before the dropping of restrictions on the #1. Looking at the pix of the various boats, it looks deeper up front than any other #1 being flown. Now, what I can't decide, especially in the Friday pix, is whethere this is just superior driving and trim. Zephyr is just about perfectly feathered in every Friday shot, with the jib drawing, which nobody else was managing.

- David

Will Keyworth has made alot of J30 sails in Annapolis... he was here for NOODs on Meanie... worth talking to. Chuck at Doyle in Annapolis has a J30 himself... which is sometimes handy input. I have some sails from Doyle, which were sold to me in the Carib but I was told that all J30 sails are made in Marblehead, guess they are on the computer? Pretty standard issue main, not as roachy as my North main cut in San Diego. The UK main I was using at NAs was cut in Annapolis to "J30 Class specs" and assembled at the loft here in Florida... for a boat that no longer exists (thanks to Katrina) I had it in Annapolis during race week and the UK loft class measurer measured it in "short" and blamed it on the UK Miami loft... go figure. In California I have sailed under Ullman sails almost exclusively...but the boats custom and Dave said "a J30 sail is a J30 sail is a J30 sail" and he advised me not to buy from his loft because they couldn't match the prices from lofts set up to do lots of J30 sails. I do believe him about the price, not really about the cut. I'll have to save my pennies for his sails....someday.

Remember - "All sail lofts are not created equal"

PS I never did like 3DLs

I generally encourage people to buy from and work with a local sailmaker to help get the most out of the sails. Plenty of those in Newport. If they won't come do 2-3 races per new sail find someone else. If you don't have a local sailmaker, Zephyr's looked good on them, but keep in mind they have a crack crew to make them go. Of the two Annapolis boats Big K used UK main/chute with Quantum #1/#3. Bebop is all UK. Would have been ince to have a Kevlar #2 on Friday. We were happy with our speed in light and heavy, just not too smart tactically Saturday.

I have a question about main sails. I have a radial cut pentex main, but I noticed that there was not a single radial cut main at the NA's. I looked at the rules and there does not seem to be a restriction on how the sail is cut, just material. Is this correct? If so then have people found there is no advantage to a radial cut main?

David
#397

Im responding to "the Redhead's" comment about her mainsail measuring in short even though it was made by the same loft. My understanding of most sail lofts today is that they have single site which cuts the panels and then stitches (or bonds) them into a "blank". However, they leave the edges unfinished but oversized, then ship it to the local loft for final finishing of the edges as well as the installation of headboard, cringles and boltrope/slugs. The idea is that the local loft is supposed to measure the specific rig on that individual boat and make accomodations as needed for the final sail. It sounds like in this case, the Miami loft might have been a little too aggressive in trimming and finishing the sail.

I agree...if a sailmaker won't come out with you to make sure you are going fast with the sails you bought...move on. Joe...I'm just glad I didn't have to deal with who to blame on that UK main...when nobody takes the responsibility on a product I just step on out the door. Lots of hardwood floor to dance on...

The World is Flat. Today's North sails panels are made in various parts of the world. For example, the panels for our new tri radial #1 kevlar genoa were made in Sri Lanka and assmebled in the states.

Benz is a long time Zephyr sailor and has a good deal of experience designing sails. In my mind, there is no question were the best J/30 main is designed and built. Next time you are in New Orleans, please visit the North loft and talk to Benz. I think you'll like his ideas.

David Erwin

No offense Dave-main looked good (even with Katrina mud) but the jib looked awesome-and completely different from the class norm.