I agree that 16# mainsail weight results in a solid if not overbult fiber laminate. And I like that.

I bitched and moaned w/the 1st 3DL, and last, I ever bought. Instead of the added fiber weight distributed as structure into the total sail, I ended up with an overbuilt dacron foot patch to make up for the weight.

Later, I was told, I could have payed more for the added fiber distributed as load paths throughout the sail. Things have improved since 1996.

mb

:: The sail weight limit is still in effect. Probably it is
:: left over from all-dacron days (to prevent building very
:: light sails that would need yearly replacing), but it
:: has not been changed and should still be obeyed.
::
:: This weight requirement results in very strong laminate
:: sails, as they can put a lot of carbon in to meet the
:: weight. The local sailmakers all know how to build sails
:: to the E27 class rules. It is true that they likely have
:: to add materials specifically to meet the rule.
::
:: Modifying and/or removing the sail weight limit would
:: require a vote at the class meeting.
::
:: A few rules have been changed recently and may not be
:: updated in the class rules: dyform wire is allowed in
:: rigging (even in 1x7 sizes) where 1x19 wire was required
:: previously. However dyform is not manufactured anymore
:: and hard to find. Spectra is allowed for lifelines as
:: long as the sag rule is still obeyed. The remainder of
:: the rules are generally accepted without discussion
:: (except the crew weight limit), as a general methodology
:: to keep costs under control and to keep the boats equal.
::
:: If you have any class rule or measurement questions,
:: feel free to send them to me directly (not headed to HI
:: this summer).
::

:: --brendan

::
::
::
::
:: :: Is this really a class rule?
:: ::
:: :: I'm not sure I'm reading this correctly, as it looks
:: :: like it was promulgated by a sailmaker who didn't want
:: :: to upgrade their sail making equipment.
:: ::
:: :: Class restriction on the minimum weight of the mainsail
:: :: to 16 LB:
:: ::
:: :: “Total weight of the mainsail shall be no less than
:: :: sixteen pounds weighed dry and without battens. Cloth
:: :: concentrations used to bring the sail to minimum weight
:: :: shall be defined as excessively heavy sailmaker's
:: :: hardware. It is the intent of this rule to prohibit
:: :: excessively light mainsail cloth weights.”
:: ::
:: :: Why don't we want excessively light mainsail cloth
:: :: weights? Perhaps we need to define "excessively light",
:: :: because, dollars-to-donuts, with advances in sail cloth,
:: :: I would bet any boat without a dacron main can't meet
:: :: the rule limitation.
:: ::
:: :: There are other limitations too that seem a tad
:: :: outdated. Is the class going to be looking at these
:: :: anytime soon?
:: ::
:: :: Sincerely,
:: ::
:: :: Marcia Schnapp