KH-Sails

[Obelix]

I am in the market for a new jib and would like to ask actual users of the KH C2000 furler jib, with UV protection, how it compares to the factory sail.

KH seem to have a good price, if the quality is up to snuff.

If KH is reading this post, do you have them in stock?

Thank you for any info.

Obelix

[Captain Jim]

Obelix,

Last Spring I purchased a new Musclehead 100% working jib equipped for a CDI FF fuler with the UV protection in white. At the same time I also purchased a sail sock. We sailed all seasom from 1 May to Oct 30 and were very pleased with both items. The headsail seemed to perform to our expectations and the overall quality was very good. The only issue I had was they were extremely late on thier promised delivery date. Yes, I would recommend purchasing a headsail from K-H. In fact we will probably purchase a replacement mainsail from K-H in 2011.

Fair winds,

Jim

[parrothead]

Obelix,
I purchased exactly the KH sail you are inquiring about for our , midway through last season. It is vastly superior to the factory jib. Delivery did take a while, as they were evidently relocating at the time of my order. But it was worth the wait.

Doug

[Matt19020]

I purchased the musclehead mainsail from KH and I am more then happy with the quality and price....no regrets at all

[bastonjock]

im very happy with my KH sails,ive got the C2000 JIB,Mainsail and Spinnaker all represemt great value for the money

[Hardcrab]

For all who like their new sails, can you add some detail as to your average, local wind/sailing conditions?
How does the musclehead do in lighter winds and when does it get overpowered/reefed in higher winds are reasons for asking.

So close to pulling the trigger based on actual results.
Thanks.

[NiceAft]

Hardcrab,

I purchased both the RF Genoa, and Muscle Head mainsail.

In light winds, there is a big difference in performance. The extra square footage in the main is really noticed. On the other hand, that extra area of sail way up high means I have to reef in winds which with the factory main, I would not. The boat is easily overpowered by the Muscle Head. You have to balance the boat with furling the Genny into a jib. With the factory main, I used to sail in winds with the Genny, which now I have to furl the Genny into a jib. It just means I have to work a little more. In a sudden puff, you can be turned quite abruptly with the Muscle Head. It just takes a little more work.

The other item that should be mentioned is that you can not lower the main completely with out removing the upper most batten. Some, such as Matt do not insert the top most slug into the mast. I remove the batten when I am going to wrap the sail cover on the main. This is a pain, but I am bothered by the sail not being able to be attached with a slug all the way at the very top. This problem should be the worst thing that ever happens to us. I regularly sail alone, and I am pleased with the sails. Their acquisition just meant that I learned a little more about boat handling.

PHOTO CREDIT:MATT (My Time)

Ray

[Hardcrab]

NiceAft,
Thanks for your gouge.
Real world info.

If I may ask, could you put a wind speed a the point where you first pull in the genny?
At what wind speed would you put in the main reef?

To compare notes with my factory genny and main:
I'll have full sail to about 12-13 knots of wind.
Then I'll roll up three or four wraps of genny to about 14-15 kts.
More genny in until about 15-17 kts.
Never have done it yet, but about 18 kts is where I'd reef the main with a little genny to help balance,
or call it a day and head to port.

Do these numbers seem the about same as yours before the Musclehead?

[NiceAft]

I am sorry to tell you that I have no way of determining wind speed. I can tell you that in the four previous seasons with the boat I had only reefed once. That is the total for four seasons This season being the first with the new sails, I reefed three times.

Ray

[Currie]

Ray - just curious....

Are you happy with the sail-shape-control of your Musclehead? I know a picture snapped at any moment can look like - who-knows-what - so it's hard to say what a sail is doing in a single instant. I'm interested in buying the Musclehead at some point, but I......(ugh - apologies to all in advance)...haven't yet seen a pic yet with a really good sail-shape. Your's is the closest - but the middle battens look very stiff with the draft at about 10% (instead of 40% or so). Do the battens break-in after while? Can they be swapped out with others of different stiffness? Can you adjust the sail shape the way you'd like? Maybe it was just that moment the pic was taken?

Sorry for a thousand questions, but I'm trying to figure out if I'll like the Musclehead before I splurge. Perhaps Art will chime in as well. Thanks!

~Bob

[NiceAft]

The battens are much longer than those in the stock MacGregor sail, and there are more of them. I also keep the clew pulled in very tight. That will also reduce sail shape (I think). I don't race the boat, and really go out for lazy sails with the Admiral. If I was in a hurry to get somewhere, or if I really, really cared, I would pay more attention to sail shape. That is not to say anything negative about those who do. I just don't get enough time sailing for me to sweat the small stuff. I raise the sail, and the boat moves. Life is good When the opportunity arises, the Admiral and I will try to put our Mac on edge. 45 degrees and more is fun. If the sail shape is not correct, well, we are not paying attention.

Ray

[Kelly Hanson East]

Bob - give Art or Jeff a call but remember its the holidays, and he has his hands full making boat history at the moment please....

[Currie]

...I raise the sail, and the boat moves. Life is good ...Ray

I hear that! - and thanks. I'm in no hurry to buy - just trying to decide what I'll replace my factory main with when the time comes. I really like the idea of the fat-head but I'm being cautious.

Cheers,
~Bob

[jpatter]

Who is KH Sails? I tried googling, but didn't get any results. I am having to order a new jib for my '92 26S and thought I would check it out.

Jimmy P

[AWKIII]

Hi Bob,

Evaluating sail shape from a photograph can be deceiving at times. I have been had several photos sent of the sail sent to me over the past year. Some have looked fantastic and others have not.

There are three primary things that will affect the shape of this sail:

1. MacGregor Rig: I have mentioned this on previous posts. The boat has a rotating mast, no backstay or turnbuckles. This combination will make it very difficult to get proper rig tuning and sail shape will suffer as a result.

2. Sail Tuning: Make sure your battens are installed correctly. Anyone who has purchased this sail knows that these are not the same pockets you are used to seeing. Make sure the sail has been raised completely and the clew is taut. Use the leechline correctly. It is amazing what can be accomplished by playing around with it for a short period of time.

3. Consider purchasing a Boomkicker. It's a great product and works very well in tandem with the vang. It's a powerful combination. You can purchase one on this site or ours.

Full battens can be "sticky" when they are new. It just means the material needs to develop some elasticity. It comes with use. I haven't heard of anyone having this problem with the Musclehead but it is common. I have had $8 to $10K racing laminates for my boat that would take a good part of the season to tack properly on the own.

I am pretty anal when it comes to sails and proper shape and trimming. It is something you pay close attention to if you do much racing. I have been out on the M with the Musclehead main and matching headsail and had been pretty happy with it.

San Diego is known for light air. There usually isn't anything until noon and it slowly builds. to 8 to 12 knots each day. The boat and sails were wonderful in this environment.

We need to remember the limitations the boat has from a design and rigging standpoint. No sail is going to fit perfectly on this boat. I don't care how much you spend or where you buy it. The Musclehead is a pretty unique sail and is a bargain when you look at what it offers.

If you ever get bored and want a great laugh, simply take Ray's picture to North, Quantum or Doyle and tell them you want one just like that. Hold on to your checkbook as you will not believe what is in store.

Happy Holidays!

Art

P.S. Forget to mention we have a new jib and genoa available for you X and M owners. We have added a little color for those with furling systems. Our standard sail comes with a white UV cover. We now offer it in pacific blue and black Sunbrella. Other colors are available on a special order basis right now but we will be adding them as time goes by. Right now we have the genoa in black and pacific blue. The jibs should arrive in a few weeks. Price? $75.00 extra for the jib and $100.00 for the genoa.