Elliott 7 - Newsletter November 2011
Woof with the recut pin top by Chapman Performance Sails Huntress with the Hood Sailmakers mainsail Evergreen with the Evolution Sails mainsail

This Newsletter is from my email of 29 November.

Dear Members,

By now you’ll have seen the write up of the Heaven Can Wait regatta on Lake Macquarie on the long weekend in October and Jim will shortly send the report of the Jervis Bay Regatta early this month. Both have shown the advantages of the square top main, not necessarily in boat speed, but certainly in controllability.

A lot of work has been done since the last Newsletter in developing the most effective sail shape, especially the shape of the luff round. The luff round has particular importance, because the E7 mast bends differently with the square top sail than it does with the pin top, so the shape of the luff round needs to be tailored to that.

Our Measurer, Mike Green, has done a lot of work with sail makers in developing and re-cutting to get an efficient shape. The time taken for testing and re-cutting has been the reason why providing advice to all Members of the Association about how best to acquire a square top mainsail has taken more time than we anticipated.

There are now five pathways open to members who want to acquire a square top main.

1. Use your own sailmaker

Mike Green would be happy to advise you or your sailmaker on the outcome of the research done so far and his experience of using the new shape of sail (mob 0409 020 924).

2. Use sailmakers who have some early experience making E7 square top mains

Mike Green has worked closely with both Hood Sailmakers (Ian Broad 04016 208 020) and Evolution Sails (Cam Percival 0401 594 189). Both these lofts are well down the track in understanding how to make square top mainsails that will suit an E7 mast. Owners are free to approach either loft, and order individually. Costs are comparable, varying between $1,765 and $3,000 depending on the cloth and style of construction used (see option 5, below).

3. Have your existing pin top main re-cut

Jim Walsh has taken this approach. His conversion was done by Chapman Performance Sails and cost around $ 550. There are two approaches – either add cloth at the back, or add a triangle of cloth down the luff. Jim used the latter approach and his results at the Jervis Bay Regatta indicate that this approach “isn’t too shabby at all”, to use the words of someone well known to us all. Jim is happy to talk with Members about the pro’s and con’s of this option (mob 0448 202 947).

4. Organise a group buy from Asia

Jim Walsh has also spoken with Taskers in China, who have come up with the following indicative pricing for a batch of 10 mainsails.

Mainsail Standard Leech Battens
AK09 Racing laminate US$ 1298.00
Tri Radial Cut
Luff 8.43: Foot 3.55: Area 23m2
MHW 2.38: MTW 1.62: MUW 2.24:
MHB 0.90:
Reefs per set US$ 100.00

10 sails = US$ 12,980.00
10 sails UPS door to door Australia US$ 842.00

This indicative pricing would have to be confirmed.

If a group of Members would like to get together and make arrangements for a bulk buy from Taskers in China, you might seek the contact details from Jim.

5. Participate in a group purchase from either Evolution or Hood Sailmakers

Mike Green has negotiated the following special prices from either Evolution or Hoods for orders placed prior to 28 February 2012.

Mike has also negotiated special prices on the full size jibs under the same conditions as the Square Top Mainsails
  • Full Size Jib to Class Rules with 1 Through Batten plus 2 Leech Battens.
    • Constructed from Dimension-Polyant’s Flex Arimid13A = $1395.00
    • Constructed from Dimension-Polyant’s Multi Panel D4 Membrane = $1765.00
    • Constructed from Dimension-Polyant’s Premium D4 Membrane = $2100.00

Both sailmakers are offering a further 10% discount for orders of 3 identical units.

Each sailmaker has points of difference, so, anyone who wishes to take advantage of this arrangement should contact Mike for the details and then deal directly with the sailmaker.

Finally, our Web Site manager, Mark Ward, is always looking for photos to include on the web site. In particular, he is looking for a good photo of a family camping on an E7 for the Home Page. If anyone has a shot of a family camping on an E7, would you please let Mark have a copy? (Don't forget to provide a caption! MW )

With best wishes,

Neil Primrose

President
Australian Elliott 7 Class Association Inc.