Jib/genoa size

[Capella]

Looking for advice on appropriate size for headsail. The 155% genoa has a beer belly and flabby leach, crew suggest we are related. She does not point well and is tender in winds over 12 knts. Sydney Harbour is quite narrow and afternoon sea breeze can get up to 25 knts. Thinking of about 110 % sail?

Would really appreciate advice on he appropriate size. We don't race but might do some twilight racing once we have her sorted.

Thanks

Brian Sherratt
Capella Sydney

[Steve Sayian]

Brian,

I bought a 105% jib two years ago and use it with a reefed main for winds over 25 knots.  Boat points well and helm is just about midsips.  Heel is maybe 20 degrees.  My standard jib is a 135% jib.

Hope this helps.

Steve

[TonyP]

Hi Brian
We are on Pittwater and have just ordered through Hood at Brookvale a new 135% genoa.We have asked for luff foam which makes a better shape when partly furled. Ours will have a high clew as we don't race either and don't need a deck sweeper. I will say though I wouldn't mind a optional smaller jib, say 100% , for use in those stronger wind days. The furler line fouled only Friday in the late afternoon nor easter and took a bit under load to rectify. Good luck with your choice
Tony

[Ron Hill]

Brian : You didn't mention if you are a tall rig or not.  Most of the tall rig people profess that the 135% works the best and are overpowed by anything larger.

I have a standard rig and have just ordered a new 150% made out of a cruising laminate.

A thought.   

[noworries]

We usually reef the main before we reef our 155, but it's on a roller furler, so we can roll it up when the wind pipes up.

You mention crew wanting to point higher and go faster, makes me think your racing, maybe get a new 155 and have your old 155 cut down to a blade might give you more options.

[Jim Hardesty]

Last fall I went through the same decision.  I'm not the first owner.  Shamrock was commisioned with a 155 geona and in mast furling main.  I don't think that combination was well balanced, but it worked.  The sails were not too bad, my sail maker (the old school type) said they still had a lot of life......and as long as I'm not a racer...etc.  His only advice I've ever not taken was not to buy new sails.  But I realy wanted to.  Back to sizes.  He is going to make my rolling main with some roach and battens, and will be closer to the standard main.  The geona is going to be 140%.  This should balance easer.  Be just as good in light air.  And I hope to be able to roll reef the geona to about 110% and sail that way in wind up to 35kn.  I would like to have a 100% for spring, fall and storms may be later.
Well, thats my plan and what I put my money on. 

[Capella]

Hello,
We have the tall rig, what you say makes sense. We seem to spend most of the time with one reef in the main. Perhaps I should chage the headsail reeling from the 915 to a single line system .

Regards
Brian

[Ted Pounds]

On the C34 you always want to reef the main before the jib.  That said, a new jib will still help with pointing and heeling.  Sounds like a 135 might be best for what you're sailing in...

[stevewitt1]

If you're ordering a new genoa for a furling system:

The last couple of new ones I bought for my 31' Allamand and 27' Catalina both were 155% but had marks on the foot for 130%, 100% and I think 70%.  My 34 doesn't have these marks and I did like them.

Maybe just a rookie thing.

Steve

[Jim Hardesty]

No rookie thing.  Either pick a seam or some thing you can see on the sail, or add marks.  Then add marks to your sheet cars accordingly as a place to start trim.  This can be done on a day with moderate winds.  Then on a windy day some of the thinking is done.
Jim

[cmainprize]

We always reef the sail that gets the wind first, not the headsail first. 

[Ken Juul]

Brian,
I too suffered through too many seasons with the old 915 system.  Reef down....only to have it blown out by a gust:(  As of maybe 4 years ago, Hood was giving a substantial discount to owners that were upgrading.  List price was over $3000, boat Show price around 1500, returning owner price about $1000.  Get the new furling system before you trash a sail that might be too big.  Give Hood in Fla a call, hopefully they are still offering the returning owner discount.

[Capella]

Thanks Ken,

In touch with Hood who still give deep discount for new single line system. Looks like that is the way to go with 135 % genoa.

Thanks to all for the advice.

Brian Sherratt

[stevewitt1]

Brian

I know what I'm about to say won't sit without controversy and challenge.

I installed the Hood Single Line Drive system on my Catalina 27.  Lots of people talked down about the Line Drive system but it served me well.  It had to be kept in proper adjustment to work smooth.  The biggest drawback was that it's not a good performing system for reefing.  It worked fine as a furling system in lieu of lowering the sail and bagging it.  Under load the furling line can slip in the drum.  Don't get me wrong, it is a nice system and I used it to reef the head sail as well as douse it but I wouldn't have the same confidence in it in real foul weather as I would a gathering drum.

Steve

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[John Langford]

This thread seems to have morphed into a discussion of furlers. But returning to the original question, I agree completely with Ron on optimal sail size. I opted for a UK 140% a few years ago and I now regret it. The sail is cut beautifully and drives the boat well on and off the wind but it is a real bear to tack in winds above 10-12 knots. We have narrow channels in the Gulf and San Juan Islands with wind normally running up or down the channels. After a morning of tacking in a good wind I am one exhausted guy. I should add that I am past the tradional retirement age but still pretty fit. I think even younget sailors would find it hard going. As a result I am going back to a 135% when I can reload the coffers.