Erick,
Nice post and good to see you making progress. No ribbing about the ribs this time...
The short answer to your question is: they had different sailmakers who made sails for different clients. The long answer is: go talk to the sailmaker.
Before you go, be ready to answer or at least discuss the following:
1. Prevailing wind conditions (direction and strength and number of reefs)
2. Material you want (it's ok if you don't know, have him give you options).
3. Level of performance you want.
4. Durability and price.
5. Intended use: All purpose, race, cruise only?
6. Is it class legal?
North Sails will make a spanking new aramid main for my Dad's catboat. But why do it, it's not class legal, and he never sails in more than 22 knots because the club calls the races when the forecast is for more than 18.
The 12 1/2 was not a strict one design as we think of them today with class measurer's and +/- tolerances you can't slide a credit card through. There was variation, especially in sails, as can be seen with the S Class sails on page 155 in Maynard Bray and Carleton Pinheiro's Herreshoff of Bristol (storm sails are shown).
In my children's junior sailing program, the "training" sails for the pram El Toro have hollow or no roach with no battens while the racing sails have maximum roach and three battens. The difference is about 7-8 sf of sail area. They are made that way for simplicity, ease of care and cost. ... Until this spring when the local college coach's 10 year old 60 lb daughter showed up with an intermediate sail with a smaller positive roach and battens. She cleaned up in the class in the first regatta against 8-15 year olds.
It was the right sail for the right day with the right person at the helm. That's why you want to go talk to the sailmaker about what's right for you. It's the engine for your boat.
Just remember, Captain Nat invented full length battens for Clara....
Good luck.
