Last autumn two wise men joined me on Dulcibella for a Thursday evening race. The wind was low teens and as we hardened up for the windward mark one of them turned to me and commented deprecatorily about my wrinkly mainsail. I was hurt but he was right. What to do?
Nothing much until end of season other than set up a Cunningham which made some difference. End of season I removed, checked and put the main back. Beginning of this season the crease(s) in my main, running from the second reef to the clew became progressively worse. Reluctant to remove it again I spent many an hour attempting to rectify with limited success. Halyard, outhaul, cunningham, vang, leech line; all were tweaked and tensioned separately, jointly and interminably other than the backstay which is fixed and I had already adjusted the tension.
Nothing worked, indeed it got worse! I sought advice which included an instructive discourse with a club member on the technical aspects of Weft and Warp; not a lot I could do to change that other than a new sail but mine was 2019. The internet beckoned although I had already been there doing some research. Then like a bolt from the blue I found a whole discussion on shrinking Bolt ropes. Bingo.
A not uncommon but oft overlooked I read although I had never come across this. I called Simon at Northstar and asked him to have a look at my problem and in particular the Bolt rope. One look at the stitching indicated, to him, that there was stress between the sail and the Bolt rope. Off came the sail and we laid it out in WSC’s yard. Cutting the stitching from the Bolt rope he tied the Head to the crane base and with a line on the clew we both yanked on the mainsail luff. Squibbies waiting to measure up probably though we were mad.
Suddenly something gave and I almost fell backward. Simon pointed to the Bolt rope. It had moved about 30cm relative to the clew. Although I have yet to get the sail back, the Bolt rope is being re-stitched, it was clear even on the ground that the wrinkles were gone. So, be advised, your Bolt rope can shrink.
Submitted on 20th June 2023