Dart 15 Forums

I have just purchase Boat sail number 1941 and the sail numbers were never fixed on as its had little use.Can someone tell me how to fix them I believe they are iron on? And where do they go position wise.

Any help would be appreciated.

Graham Collett
Sprint 15 1941

Hi. The sail numbers are definatly not iron on and i would not put an iron on the sail at all. The numbers should just be stick on, you peel the backing off and stick them on. Position wise they go on the panel under the logo towards the back of the sail with the starboard side higher than the port. Have a look at some of the photos on this website to make sure.

Thanks Kevin,

All I can find in the rules is the following:


(b) The sail numbers and Class emblems shall be placed on both sides of the mainsail, Sail numbers
and emblems shall sharply contrast in colour with the sail and shall be placed at different heights on
the two sides of the sail, those on the starboard side being uppermost.

Is there anything more specific as this would allow them to go on any panel you like!!

Graham Collett
Sprint 1941

Graham,

The RYA Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008 Appendix G specifies a bit more. For the Sprint 15 the sail numbers must be at least 60mm from the sail edge and at least 60mm apart. As Kevin says the rules also state they shall be below any class insgnia and the starboard side numbers shall be above the port ones.

One of our club members has just bought a Dart18 sail and the starboard numbers have been put in the same panel as the insignia and it looks weird - and difficult to read.

The normal position is with both sets of numbers in the panel below the insignia i.e between the third batten down and the fourth batten down. The RYA rules do specify a maximum distance down the leech but if you stick to the above it will be like everyone else's!

It is best to lay the sail out flat on a calm day with something smooth and rigid under the area where you want to put the numbers - like a sheet of melamine or hardboard. So you have the sail material flat and have something you can push against - see later.

Then lay the numbers out so they look equally spaced in terms of gaps of at least 60mm (e.g. '1' takes up a lot less space than '8'). Also try an get them the same distance away from the batten pockets above or below - which you can use as a guide. Put one set of numbers under the sail so you can see that the numbers on port and starboard sides do not overlap. When you are happy mark the positions at several points around the periphery or each number with a pencil (not a sharp one!!) so you have a guide to work to when you apply them.

As a Race Officer I must say that some numbers I see have silly gaps and make reading numbers a pain, especially if you have a group of boats passing the line near together.

Do one side completely first. Peel off the backing of only a small part - say the top - of one number and align it with your marks and lightly touch to the sail and make sure it is in lthe line you want. Then slowly and gently pull the backing off as you smooth the number down onto the sail.
If you take all the backing off to start you are likely to end up with a sticky mess and mangled number.

Take care not to stretch the number as you do it or it will possibly twist or kink. Once you have all the backing off apply pressure steadily down the number and outwards from its centre line to ensure all air bubbles are removed - use a tea cloth or something without lots of fibres (not a towel). Preferably do all this when it is warm but not in beating sunlight - and definitely not when it is damp!

It takes a bit of time but can look terrible if you mess it up.

Have fun

Steve Willis

Thanks Steve,

I was looking at the numbers I have at the weekend and they are indeed self adhesive. Only a small problem one of the number 1 digits is badly creased and the adhesive looks dodgy. So now have the task of matching the rest to another unless I can find a numeral 1 from the original Lasr style of year 2000.Or buy a complete set.

Does anyone know if the numbers are to a standard the numeral one is a straightforward strip of material with the corners rounded.

Congrats to all who took part in the Nationals I hope to be with you next year sounds like a great event.

Graham Collett

Hi Graham
They used to issue a set of instructions with the sail on how to put the numbers on - they do not do it anymore. It is much easier to borrow another sail and lay your sail on top (one side at a time) and to put the numbers on over the others. Holding the 2 sails together with bull dog clips is a help also. As Ed has 1940 why not talk nicely to him and borrow his sail for a few days and do the job well. It looks much nicer if the numbers are applied neatly in the right position.
In a similar vein the sail numbers are about a couple of quid each plus postage. So rather than spoil the job for a few quid I recommend that you get a new #1 from Windsport (see under suppliers on this web site).
Cheers
Bob