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I have a Mark II C&C27 with which I do family cruising and club racing off the coast of british Columbia (Sidney, BC). I have started to race on PHRF (yes, not enough C&C 27 to form a fleet...) and after having taken the dimensions of my main sail (original, 1972), I realized that it is quite smaller than the maximum dimensions listed in the C&C27 web site.
Dimensions of my main sail (in feet) are:
HLB=0.33, E=8.83, MGU=3, MGM=5.5, MP=28.1
Maximum dimensions listed on the web site are (code 5 sail):
HLB=0.5, E=9.5, MGU=3.97, MGM=6.59, MP=29
That makes my main sail a code 3.
I talked to a sailmaker and he would custom make a Code 5 (maxiumum dimensions set in the web site) with a loose foot, 4 full battens and 2 reefs.
Here are my questions:
1) Would anyone know why my boat that used to be race is equipped with such a small main sail? In other words, would the boat handling be affected with the larger main (I sail with 170%, 150% and 120% genoas)? I know that in light air, I should get better performance. Is anyone experienced with sailing (racing and cruising) a Mark II with a code 5 main sail?
2) Any reason why I should not go with a full batten main sail? Is there any disadvantage over the traditional shirt battens? I did not notice a lot of fully battens mains on C&C27 club racing pictures.
Thanks for your help,
Stéphane
Mystery, C&C27 MarkII, 1972, Hull 59
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Question 1) The only reason for reducing the dimensions that I can think of is reducing the mid-girth slightly to avoid hanging the roach on the backstay. Beyond that, perhaps someone else has an idea.
Question 2) Fully battened mains tend to be a bit flat in light air off the wind. You can counter this by tensioning your battens, but getting the tension exactly right is fiddly. A main with two short tapered battens down below opens up better. I can't see needing two reefs, but you know your local conditions better than I do.
David Weatherston
Towser, Toronto
C&C 27 Mk IV
David Weatherston
Towser, Toronto
C&C 27 Mk IV
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Thank you David for the answers. The sailmaker will check the boat's dimensions to avoid the backstay touching the sail.
I had to use the reef #1 with 20-25 knts and I like to have one more level in case the wind goes up.
I will keep in mind your comments on the full length battens: seem to agree with my observations of racing C&Cs pictures.
Stéphane
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2 reefs might not be a bad idea, especially on the ocean.
Don't sweat a little roachiness -- contact with the backstay isn't abnormal for most boats (David -- is this true for a 27??) Maybe the sail was cut down a bit as a repair?
Lots of boats have 2 full upper battens and 2 partial lowers.
Cheers
Chuck Lanning
NSC, Ottawa
Chuck Lanning
C&C 27 Mk V, Chivas & Champagne
NSC, Ottawa
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I talked to the sail maker and he is a big advocate of four full battens: keeps the sail in shape, fast and does not wear out the fabric so much. I will go for that, as most of the boats here in the club.
Yes, Chuck, I confirm with you that for making a code 5 (maximum size for racing without handicap) the sail will have a bit of a roach and touch the back stay (2 inches). According to the sail maker's experience it is really worth it although below 5 knots of wind the main has to be helped for tacking (let go the main sheet and then in). Higher than 5 knts the sail tacks with no help.
Stéphane
Mystery C&C27 Mrk II, Sidney, BC
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