PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

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D&D
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PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by D&D »

hi all - am in isla mujeres and getting a repair on my mainsail. the sail lady is asking if i know the weight of the dacron and i can't seem to find that spec anywhere in my documentation. any chance someone out there knows? she suggested it might be 6.4 ounces but she's not sure. if you know, could you pass it on? thanks so much.
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by NautiBits »

I just had my sails replaced in November. 7.4 ounce for the Mainsail, 6.4 ounce for the Genoa. We just copied the originals. I hope this helps.

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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by D&D »

Thank you so much for this.
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thinwater
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by thinwater »

My new Mack main is 8.6 ounce high aspect (PDQ 32), and I don't think it is too heavy. I think the original was about 7 oz. I had 6 oz. on my Stiletto 27 (1300 pounds), and beach cats are ~ 4.5-5 oz (650 pounds loaded). Cats are stiffer than monos and require heavier cloth.

But obviously you want to match what is there.
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NautiBits
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by NautiBits »

I am a second owner.

The sails on my boat looked original. The PO {and initial PDQ customer} could not confirm this because he escaped to the great beyond. So,I replaced with what was on the boat. The manual (2 available on pdq36.com) does not address the possible original(design) recommendations.

So, I understand that buyers have some latitude in what they rig the boat with out of the factory.

Drew, are you suggesting that the heavier sail functions better in certain conditions(assuming the analogy is compatible between the 32 and 36)?

Folks, I tried to minimize any negativity one might perceive from my message. I'm really just trying to fill in the blanks.

Drew, thanks for posting.

Joe Mc
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thinwater
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by thinwater »

As a general rule, heavier cloth resists stretching better, and that is what generally kills a sail. Catamarans need heavier cloth than monos because we load the sails harder (the boat does not spill air by heeling). Weight aloft is also less damaging on a cat, because it does not contribute to heeling. Finally, the large roach requires heavy cloth to remain stable.

By all means consult sailmakers. But I think they will agree that a high aspect cloth of at least 8 ounces (if polyester--laminates are different) is needed to keep the leach from stretching all out of shape, assuming you sail hard. As I pointed out, a beach cat weighing 15-20 times less uses 4 ounce cloth!
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by windrush »

Windrush (36074) had a full baton, 2 reef, 8.62 high aspect Dacron made by Mack Sails back in the fall of 2012. We love it and can recommend Mack Sails. We also got their Mack pack cover and their service was very good. We had them replace a zipper in the mack Pack last spring. Good luck and all the best....
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by thinwater »

Just curious.

a. How many have 3 reefs?

b. How many have used them?

I have and have used it several times. It made for a much more controllable boat and still good speed, given the wind. I guess it depends on how you sail, but 3 reefs was better than motoring (smoother). I did have to add some additional hardware, since there are only 2 internal reefs.

(the upper jammer is for the 3rd reef clew line, which goes from around the boom, up to the clew, through a snatch block at the boom end, and then to here)
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by James Power »

As far as cloth weight, if the sail is original give Triton sails in Toronto a call. They would have made them.
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Re: PDQ 36 mainsail dacron weight?

Post by NautiBits »

The sails I replaced were Triton made.

I'll keep them for emergencies.
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