Many thanks Jami, I'm going to order this fabric. My sail area will be about the same as yours, as the boat is Mini Cruiser 6.50 junk schooner.  However, I want to make simple flat sails, but with hinged battens. My first test sailing will be probably Baltic, so maybe there will be opportunity to compare our rigs sooner or later. Cheers :)

One more question - what kind and size battens you will apply?

Hi Jami, I am watching constant progress in your sailmaking. You're doing well and I am interested in your project as this is what I will be doing in a few month. There is constant discussion in this JRA community on best kinds of fabric to be used to make sails. I see you choose OUTGARD. Could you inform which grammature you use? This fabric is coated, but can not find info - whether both sides, or one side only? I guess it was purchased via Internet - where from you have bought it? I am in Poland, so the same region, maybe can use the same supplier, if you recommend. Wish you luck with the project. Kris

Weather helm gone when heeling?  Or is the boat providing enough drive without having to heel and cause weather helm?

No, of course not as such. I think that the heeling-induced weather helm is counteracted fast by the good sail balance as soon as the mast turns a bit upwards again. But the drive issue might also be playing a part, at least this was one of the intended goals.

Anyway, too early to say too much. And because my understanding of the aero/hydrodynamics is so very limited, I will probably never have good answers anyway :)

Hooray! The first 1 hour test sail with the new SJR is done!

Quite a lot of rig-tweaking to be done, but at this point this is obvious: the balance is now spot on. If the wind is steady, the boat seems to stay quite happily on course with a center-locked tiller while sailing to about 60% to the wind. The tacking is also lot easier now.

Photos/videos and more impressions, when the sail sets nicely.

(And yes, we have no sailing-restricting lockdown in Finland as of yet.)

Actually, I was not thinking of inducing twist, but to reduce it with less sheeting angle on the upper jiblets.