Interesting theory. When I was racing my Sunfish, I was able to go to
windward much better after the sail developed some body. The drill with a
new sail was to run it thru the washing machine some six or eight times to
soften it. Some years later the official Sunfish lateen was given more body
in the sail loft.

Roger

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm
"Paul Oman" wrote in message
...
wrote:

My old visqueen sails for the MiniCups finally fell apart so I have
bought some white polytarp material to make new ones. The old
directions said nothing about shaping the sails but the polytarp sail
manual discusses it. However, they also make reference to lateen sails
being self shaping. So, what to do, cut them with a curvature (what I
plan to do) or make straight cuts?
Next, how much does stitching lengthen the life of the sails?

Yes - lateen sails are flat - no 'body' sewn into them

paul oman
progressive epoxy polymers