Monday, 17June, 2013: The search for a Screacher.

I attempted to get a few bids for a new screacher to replace the shredded one on Memorial Day.

First went to UK Sails Anacortes and got a bid of $2774 plus tax for 2.5oz CZ30 cloth.

Second, went to Port Townsend Sails.  Email and talked with the lady there, but no bid was actually received.  This was ok as orders received at the time would have been filled in November...a little late.

On a tip from Phil aboard S/V Naga, a Privilege 37 catamaran, I contacted Rush Sails, the Neil Pride rep in the area.  From Phil, Scott Rush had a lot of multihull experience and recently had completed a set for Naga.  Scott immediately traveled to Skyline and measured and measured and measured and...get it?  Further, we talked a lot and I got a few tips!  Scott then went home and worked up a quote:  $2877 using LSP Pen 60.  Naturally, there was confusion regarding materials and Scott was very patient explaining:

"The LSP Pen 60 is basically a light genoa laminate material.  My thought in recommending this fabric is that here in the NW, you will want to use the screacher as a light air genoa. On the F-31's we have worked with, we used a 2:1 halyard and were able to use the screachers close hauled  to about 12 knots apparent, before luff sag caused the boat to point lower than with the genoa attached to the headstay. I think, given the area of the screacher on your boat, the LSP Pen 60 should be adequate. If you have the 2:1 halyard for the screacher and want to carry it in more than 12 knots apparent, then maybe we should look at the LSP Pen 90.

Quickly, the way of looking at the differences between polyester (dacron), Pentex, and Kevlar (aramid), is that polyester has a relative stretch of 100, Pentex is 250, and Kevlar is about 800. On the other side, Kevlar has bend / break flex issues, polyester and Pentex almost none at all . Kevlar is also susceptible to UV degradation, polyester and Pentex much less so.

The Dimension CZ 30 you were quoted, is designed for a Code Zero application, which is more of a close reaching sail and doesn't have the bias (45 deg.) strength that is needed for close hauled loading. The close hauled loading will cause the draft to move aft in the sail, thus the sail will develop less power and be more difficult to sail to.

Once you ease off to a reach, both materials will work well. I think that the LSP Pen 60 will have better tear strength than the CZ 30."

I asked where the sails were made, Philippines and China.  "Great," I said, "the land of not quite right and dubious."  Scott went to great lengths to explain how the shops were ISO 9000 certified and quality sails were being made.  This sail would probably be made in the PI.

I went with the Neil Pride/Rush Sails.  To be delivered 3-4weeks.  I told him we would probably be in South Sound.  He said no problem, he would deliver where ever we were.