Posted: 04 Mar 2013 at 9:22pm
Hello there. I just purchased Dorado #86. She is a beauty. I am now wanting to do a few improvements and was hoping that i could get some help from the Dolphin vetrans here.

I need new sails (main and "yankee" jib). I would prefer to buy something used if possible. I want the yankee jib so i can see better under sail. I was also contemplating getting a roller furling system to make it a bit easier to sail single handed. I have never purchased sails before so i am not sure exactly what i should be asking for dimension-wise or any variables that i should consider with the dolphins. Any advise or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

San Diego, CA

Edited by springbrent - 04 Mar 2013 at 9:23pm
Brent Lievsay
brent@vividminds.com
619-261-7715
Skype: blievsay


Posted: 07 Mar 2013 at 10:58am
Hi Brent Welcome!

In my experience its nice to have a main that is easily reefed, especially if you plan to singlehand a lot. I have a wood cabin on my Dolphin so I get nervous about putting winches and clutches on it - I have a double reef set up but I have to go up to the mast to do it. Its pretty easy but you do have to leave the cockpit....

Have you checked out the Technical Section - Sails/related? There are a number of interesting comments there. http://www.dolphin24.org/technicalindex.html

The original Sail Plan numbers are here

http://www.dolphin24.org/1497-4_Sail_Plan.html. Sometimes you can pick up a used sail in good shape that is close on dimensions.

There's also a partial list of sail maker suppliers that have made Dolphin 24 sails http://www.dolphin24.org/supplier_list.html

Ron
Marionette, #12


Posted: 25 Sep 2013 at 1:19am
I'm really late in replying here, but...

I bought a new furling genoa for Yanqui when we first got her. I went with a Harken furler and it's worked great, though probably overkill. I chose it for ocean sailing someday, but since I'm stuck on the river the CDI Flexible Furler I had on my previous boat would probably have been just fine. Be sure to carefully evaluate the need for a halyard deflector when the mast is down. I didn't and had to install one later in a bosun's chair and it was a chore.

Regarding the genoa, realize that a high cut jib will raise the center of the sail up and increase the heeling force. With a furling sail you have to choose wisely with size because it won't keep its shape once furled too small. I chose 140%, figuring I could get it down to 100% safely. Any smaller and I just close it up altogether, though the Harken furler allows me to run up a (theoretical) smaller jib in its place. The big genoa does give lousy visibility, but even on the crowded river it's worth it to have light air power. In most places you do more light air sailing than heavy air sailing.

Regarding the main, Yanqui's tired main has just one set of reef points and it's only okay for protected waters. I think getting a sail with less than two is a false economy. That being said, even when I replace the main I don't know that I'll keep both sets rigged. The single line reefing setup I used on my Montgomery 17 involved a ridiculous amount of line that kind of got everywhere. On my newest boat, a Hartley TS16, I used a regular old reef hook and I like it better.

The big question I had about mainsails was battens. When I talked to my North Sail guy, there were lots of options like full length battens, two full and two partial, etc.

Joe
Yanqui


Posted: 02 Oct 2013 at 7:11pm
Just a quick warning on the jib furler....I purchased a Harkin snap furler for boats up to 24' without checking the size of the front stay...fast forward a few year; it never really worked smoothly and I noticed the stay beginning to shred. Come to find out that the furler was too small for the stay and eventually began to shred. So, check the size of the front stay and plan accordingly. Good luck.
Jack VanZandt
Olympia, WA


Posted: 10 Jan 2016 at 4:56pm
While on the subject of new main sails....my sailmaker is recommending a loose footed main. Do any other Dolphin owners have one or experience with a loose footed main?
Beautiful boats and fair winds!
Sailinmike
Dolphin #300
Grande Finale


Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 4:58pm
I have a loose-footed main on mine, but am still just getting acquainted with the boat.

I'm discovering that I have to unlearn a number of fin-keeled sailing habits because the Dolphin handles differently, but I don't know how much various features like the main and the long keel contribute to the differences.
Bob
Yankee Dolphin #138


Posted: 17 Aug 2017 at 2:23pm
Just wanted to reply to your question in that I just refitted Prodigal #204 with a new main sail and furling (CDI)150% genoa. I used Precision Sail Loft out of Victoria, BC. They also encouraged me to go with a loose footed main. Having sailed it in all wind types I have to agree that a footed main just can't begin to offer the flexibility in adjustment of the shape of your sail. If I honk on the outhaul I can flatten it and in light air leave it loose and get a more powerful shaped sail. I have no regrets whatsoever now and would recommend it highly to any other Dolphin owner! Hope this helps.