Hi All. Yes Jose, that was my original intent...to have the 180 recut and made smaller and then adapted to fit the furler by adding luff tape and sun protection. If I want it to maintain a decent shape when reefed, apparently I'd have to add something else. I didn't realize that it was made with heavier material. I'm relying heavily on the advice of my sail loft guy, as, well, he's the expert and I'm very new at all this. In our last discussion he proposed keeping it cheap by just adding the luft tape to the 180 and furling it all the way in and using mainsail only when the wind was too strong. My gut was not liking that idea at all! so I thought it was time for a little survey with you all. My sail-guy is away sailing right now. When he gets back, I'll be in better shape to discuss this with him.
Jose, Re: the engine. There are a few things wrong, mostly regarding the fact that the boat has been sitting idle for awhile. Things like soft fuel lines etc. there was diesel everywhere, and few other seized up things - but so far nothing too serious. They're waiting for parts. Hopefully everything will arrive by this week. They are also going to hook up the head for me as it was set for overboard discharge -- which of course is a no-no in the Great Lakes. It looks like an easy job and I know I could do it myself, but yuck, I just don't want to. When that is done, the sail-guy is going to help me get the mast up, install the furler and rig the boat. I've got an instructor lined up to give me a few lessons on the boat, just to get me used to everything and feeling comfortable. Then I'm broke, but hopefully sailing! If you, or any of you other "local" folks are in the area, drop an email and visit! Sue.