Finding Balance with Your New Fathead Sail

Changing sail shape subtly shifts the center of effort, with consequences.

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The center of effort will move aft compared to a pinhead and forward compared to a full roach sail. Whether this is good or bad depends on the existing balance of the boat. The change is generally small, but expect to adjust both jib and mainsail trim practice.

It must also be remembered that when replacing an older sail, the draft is generally farther forward than the old bagged out sail, and so the balance will seem to move forward until the new sail distorts.

  1. The moderate fathead sail offers a little more area, and also a slight change in the center of effort. The center of effort will be higher and either farther aft compared to pinhead, or farther forward compared to a high roach sail. A change in mast rake or jib size may be required.
  2. A radical 60 percent square top results in rather odd reefed shapes and a lot of poorly supported roach. Sail area is also reduced less, because the foot remains long.

Related posts: Pros and Cons of ‘Fathead’ Mainsail

Fad or Function? Fathead Sails Offer A Little of Both

 

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.