Saturday , the wind was light and ‘on the nose’. Time to get the sails up. The genoa went on easily enough and looks great with the black or sun protector. I’m sure it’ll look even better when it’s filled with wind.

Then the main sail, it’s not a direct copy of my old sail, it’s loose footer so that makes it easier to get on and off than the old one, Then the battens. hmmm…. not come across these fittings before , I soon realise something has to come undone to get them in, there’s a screw and a slide out cover conveniently on a string, (note to purchase spare screws, these could so easily end up in the drink.) Once attached you can adjust the tension, but where to start?. The old main didn’t have tensioners, and everything I knew about batten trim is long forgotten, so now it’s back to school on that one.

Anyway we continued on and raised the main, but it didn’t look right, it was getting late so we packed it away for the night and went home to mull it over.

I’d taken some photos of the sail and took them to show my sailmaker friend Doug. Straight away “Too much batten tension” , was diagnosed, and after some more detailed discussion on trim, off I toddled to tinker with the sail.. It’s always good to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about.

Much happier after implementing Doug’s suggestions, I was going to try out the sails during some sea trials as soon as the opportunity arrived. However on Monday I was surprised to receive a call from the sailmakers asking for the sail back to do some alterations. Doug had shown the designer the photos and they decided more drastic action needed to be taken. I didn’t even ask!

High winds most of this week so time to get on with other snagging while they alter the sail.

Mast head lights aren’t working, someone’s got to go up there and sort it. DOH!

There’s not much time left to get this right.