Hi. I would like to get some newer sails for 3161. Is there a lot if difference between the cut on the sails for the newer merlin compared to a boat number 3161.

I have been looking at the sails on this website and thinking about getting a set but concerned if they will fit. Does anyone have experience with this type of thing? 

Thanks for any help 
Neil 

Hi Neil,  I'll leave it for others to get technical but I think you'll find that a newish set of sails, regardless of your mast material or section, will be better than a knackered old set!  New tend to be loose-footed so check you boom/rig will work.  Also, if you plan to race I think you need to check your measurement certificate and make sure any new sails will be within the allowable tolerance for you boat/rig (e.g. jib area and main height/foot measurements)?  Perhaps borrow a set locally to see how they feel before committing?

 Thanks Alan. So I should be able to call the RYA and get the measurment certficate, from then on I guess its a trial. At the  moment I have a fitted foot for the mainsail into the boom so need to check that out for fitting aswell.
 
 
 

You will only have a problem with a loose foot if your boom has a big cutaway at the outboard end, usually the strap from the clew will slide happily down the underside of a metal boom.
Older rigs were generally stiffer so the sail had less luff round - the dimensions of the rig on Orac are probably similar to the modern ones but some rigs at the time had a somewhat taller mast, if you haven't got your measurement cert you can always measure the mast you have - the 5720mm measurement which is the common one for mains is from the sheerline to the lower edge of the upper black band.

Hi Neil,
 
I wouldn't get too concerned about using older masts and boom with modern sails. You can do quite a lot to induce a bit more bend in the metal mast by a) angling the spreaders back a bit and/or b) chocking or using  a bit of rope to pull the mast forward at the deck (I'm assuming we are talking about a keel stepped mast). As Andrew says, loose foot should work fine, you just need a short rope strop, if you want a top-notch solution make a parrel with some plastic bobbles but that's not really necesssary. 
 
If you buy a main and jib from the same suit they should both be measured and will be correct. If you have a tall mast rig ie 22' 6" (6.85m) above the deck a second-hand main is not likely to work for you but I would imagine your rig will be the usual 21' (6.4m) above the deck unless the boat has been especially rigged for river-only sailing.
 
Dave 
 
 
 

Neil,
Boats from that era tended to have different mast lengths. My guess would be you have a 2' 6" or 21' 8" mast if this is still the original rig. This would be better for the river than a standard 21' rig but sails might be harder to find.
 
R 

 I seem to recall that 3161 had a standard rig on her after deckstepping, but quite a stiff mast. There was no puller, but you would be able to rig up a pulley from the top of the strut mechanism (where the standard pulleys attach to) up to the deck to provide this if you require.

Hey wow thanks for the feedback.  

I happened to see a breathable boat cover on ebay 2 days ago and also a suit of sails and I  brought the lot for 300. All arrived today. Cover is great ! The main and jib is 2010. 

I do have the end if the boom cut away so will have to gave a close look at this. Hope the main fits. I could not afford to have a bespoke one so will try it out this week. Also a very large spinnaker came with the sails.

Have managed to keep orac in a garage now so really happy with that. Nice and dry. Hope to repaint her hull over winter.

Thanks 
Neil

 Neil,
 
 One option for the loose foot is to get a slug, like the one at the clew of your other mains and put that in the boom track, then shackle this onto the sail.  This should be a lot cheaper, even free if there is an old main that you no longer need and can cut it off.  I did this quite a few years ago and it worked ok.

Thanks Stuart. I will check out the options. It's exciting.

Another option is to fit a short track on top of the boom...