Luff tape

[bhillmail]

(Newbie question) I am looking to replace a missing jib sail on a Hunter 25 with a roller furling. I received a little help from a company selling used sails, but they did not have anything in stock to help me, and pointed me to a new site with the min/max info and measurements I needed to plug in to see what my options are. It came back with numerous, but now am stumped with various Luff types, including #4, #5 and #6, #7 and Gemini luff tape. Can someone shed some light on what that means? thanks

[Jim Cate]

These have to do with the diameter of the cord in the luff tape. You will need to find from the manufacturer of your specific furler what is the required size. However, it is not a difficult or expensive job to replace the tape should you find a sail that otherwise suits your requirements. Some used sail lofts (Bacon for example) can do this for you before shipping the sail.

Good luck,

JIm

[SV Demeter]

I believe the numbers for luff tape cop respond to their diameter in mm but not 100% certain. A sailmaker would know for sure. What kind of furler is on the boat? Harken, pro-furl, furlex etc?

[nigel1]

What Jim said

Here is a link to a luff tape size guide

UK Headsail Luff Type

[delmarrey]

Here is a chart that gives some of the spec's out there.>>>

UK Headsail Luff Type

Looks like nigel1 beat me to it.

[bhillmail]

Thanks for the info. As luck would have it, my furler isn't on the list. It is a Plastima. However, I think I can determine what tape size by measuring that gap (with a drill bit).

[nigel1]

If you mean Plastimo, in many cases, the luff tape size is 6.5mm.
As luck would have it (or not), Plastimo went to the wall earlier this year, but their products are being taken up my other makers and suppliers

[bhillmail]

Yes, it is a Plastimo.
How close are to tolerances in the measurements. Any idea if a #6 or #7 will work? Thanks so much for the info

[Hydra]

Plastimo is still in business. Their e-catalogue is accessible from there: Plastimo - Home

The dimensions of furler and luff tape are on page 206.

Alain

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by Hydra

Plastimo is still in business. Their e-catalogue is accessible from there: Plastimo - Home

The dimensions of furler and luff tape are on page 206.

Alain

My mistake then, I thought Plastimo went into receivership late last year, and then taken over by Alliance Marine. Maybe the Plastimo name lives on. Pretty sure the UK side has now closed.
I was recently trying to get a replacement cover for a Plastimo compass and the UK supplier advised me it could take quite a while until the supply lines were sorted out

[Hydra]

Yes, Plastimo/Navimo has been taken over by Alliance marine. But many Plastimo products are still being made. I phoned the liferaft servicing station close to the factory this morning, to inquire about servicing my raft, and yes, they are operating.

I have been told that their problems were partly caused by long, complex and costly supply lines.

Alain

[bhillmail]

Thank you.

[bhillmail]

Just want to make sure I am looking at this correctly. With a Plastimo S series furler, it shows a 6.5mm track. You would add the diameter of the bolt rope to the thickness of the sail. If this is the case, I would think 5mm rope (#5 tape) would be the max you could get away with. Is that the right way to look at it? Thanks again

[GordMay]

The Plastimo Model 609-S uses a 6.5mm Luff Tape, whilst the Model 609-T uses 5.0mm.