OzOne wrote:
How long do they stay at their peak?
We throw a new kite on the Etchells every season, we get a couple of
seasons out of them but peak is really only one.

The serious racers buy a new set every season, the sailmakers usually
carry four or five sets around with them. The big regattas have rules
saying you can only have one set of sails (defined as 1 main, 2 jibs, 2
spin) but this is quietly ignored. On the Lightning you can carry two
spinnakers in the boat but it's only rigged with one halyard, most have
only one set of sheets. I have my boat set up with two sets of sheets
for light or heavy, so we can switch easily... never been protested on
that. One jib on board, you have to pick light or heavy bfore leaving
the dock.

IMHO new sails are fastest for about the first five six times out, less
if you go out in a blow. The difference in pointing is noticable. I
ruined a set of Johnson 18 sails at the 1998 Midwinters, picked up a
brand new set from the sailmaker and took them out first time blowing
30+... but they were really fast that day!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King