Centaur Genoa

Mooney

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18 Nov 2004
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Hi Eveybody,
I`m a Newby and hope this mail reaches the Forum advisers.
I have a Westerly Centaur with a Rotostay fitted.I have ordered
new sails (DTSWMBO).The sailmaker advises a genoa with a shorter
foot measurement as a more efficient sail than the existing 10 feet.
This would mean moving the genoa slider forward or fitting a new
one more inboard. On the side deck rather than on the toerail.
He is kneeling with scissors poised awaiting my quick decision.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
I have already learned a lot by reading the Forum for a few years
but have usually found answers without mailing..Thanks

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john_morris_uk

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Depends what you/he means by efficient. The problem with roller genoas is trying to have one sail that suits all weather conditions.

I suspect that he means that he wants to cut you a smaller genoa (say 100% or 110%) because it is easier for him to make it suit medum to heavier winds. If you have a roller genoa 120-140% then its going to be a sail probably cut and more suitable for light winds, and then by the time its rolled away in heavy winds, its rolled a lot (and thus lost its shape) and its also too light a canvas (and thus gets wrecked and stretched) with winds it isn't supposed to handle.

The logic and physcs are inescapable. This is why some big boats have two roller genoas. One inside the other with the inner one being a 'heavier' weather genoa, and the outer one being a lighter 'downwind/reaching genoa'. Hope that this helps. Try asking him why he is suggesting this size/shape? Ask him what windspeeds the sail wll be good for.

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BlueChip

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Suggest you ask this question on the Westerly Owners discussion group, there are almost 1,000 Westerly Owners subscribed, many of them own Centaurs
Join through the owners association web site <A target="_blank" HREF=http://>www.westerly-owners.co.uk</A>




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PaulAG

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10 Oct 2002
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I had a new genoa made (by C&J) about 4-5 years ago as the stitching was rotten on the old one. The original was a No.2 genoa (apparently - I did not know!), but had a No.1 made. The difference in lighter winds was very noticeable, and when the wind gets up a bit (sailed in F6-7 OK), 2 - 4 rolls in genoa removes most of the weather helm and she goes like a train.

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