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    BASIC SAILBOAT DIMENSIONS

    P, E, I & J Explained 

    Although we cannot build sails with the following described dimensions, the P,E,I & J dimensions provide an industry standard for estimating the price of a new sail.

    HEADSAIL:

    I: A dimension from the headsail halyard hoist to the sidestay termination (chainplate) or sheer line of the boat.As defined by the ORC (Offshore Racing Congress):

    Height of Jib Halyard (I Jib)

    I Jib shall be the genoa height measured from the point of attachment of the forestay to the mast structure, or the intersection of the center line of the forestay with the foreside of the mast where the point of attachment is internal, to the level of the sheer line abreast the mast.

    J: Distance between the headstay termination (chainplate) at the deck to the forward surface of the mast at the sheer line. As defined by the ORC:

    Base of Foretriangle (J)

    J shall be the actual foretriangle base measured horizontally from the foreside of the mast at its lowest point above the deck or coachroof to the center line of the foremost stay on which jibs are set (the center line of the luff if the foremost jib is to be set flying), extended if necessary, to intersect the level of the sheer line, or to a bowsprit if used.

    MAINSAIL:

    P: Distance from the top surface of the boom to the maxium mainsail halyard hoist, or the distance between black bands on the mast. As defined by the ORC:

    Mainsail Hoist (P)

    P shall be the measured length of the hoist of a jib headed mainsail. It is the distance along the afterside of the mainmast from the highest level to which the head of the sail, or any part of a headboard carriage abaft the track or mast groove, may be set to the lowest position of the tack. The highest point shall be taken as the top of the highest sheave used for the main halyard, or to the lower edge of a one-inch measurement band. The lowest position of the tack shall normally be the fair extension of the top of the boom or any external track or groove…

    E: Distance from the aft surface of the boom to your desired clew position, or the distance between black bands on the boom. As defined by the ORC:

    Foot of Mainsail (E)

    E shall be the length measured along the boom from the aft side of the mast including any external track or groove, or its fair extension parallel to the axis of the mast, to the aftermost position to which the sail is permitted to extend. Where this latter point is inside of the boom end, it shall be located by the inner edge of a one inch measurement band around the boom. Any part of the mast which extends abaft the aft side of the track or mast groove shall be ignored in determining E.

    PY & EY: are the same as the P & E dimensions, but they are used when describing the mizzen rig.