Changing foresails on twin luff groove foil ?

Boo2

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Jan 2010
Messages
8,603
Visit site
Hi,

Can anyone tell me what is the best way to change foresails when a boat is rigged with a twin luff groove foil on a roller furler ? Sunrunner came with a 150% No 1 genoa as well as the day-to-day 130% No 2 genoa and I was just wondering what the normal procedure is for swapping between them with this setup ? Do I lower the current sail then raise the replacement or raise the new sail in the other groove before lowering the old sail ? If the latter then do I stand between the two sails, or work around the forestay/foil, or what ? Anyone know of any videos relating to this ?

Many thanks,

Boo2

<Edit: forgot to mention the foresail is on a roller furler>
 
Last edited:
two grooves need two halyards.
a third sheet
a snatch block.
Say No1 Genoa is up?
prepare smaller sail for hoisting, secure tack,third sheet reeved through either same car or preferably using the snatch block or another car on the genoa track, lead to any convenient winch.
Approximate amount of sheet deployed, not critical as the No1 will cradle the new sail.
Luff up the boat so headsail is flapping a bit, but not tacking.
Hoist the smaller sail and get it drawing, by resuming course.
Take the lazy sheet off the No1 Genoa, and fix it as the second sheet on the smaller jib.
When you tack the bigger sail will be on the inside, with one slack sheet.
Lower it and fold away.
Practice when it is not critical.
 
Last edited:
two grooves need two halyards.
a third sheet
a snatch block.
Say No1 Genoa is up?
prepare smaller sail for hoisting, secure tack,third sheet reeved through either same car or preferably using the snatch block or another car on the genoa track, lead to any convenient winch.
Approximate amount of sheet deployed, not critical as the No1 will cradle the new sail.
Luff up the boat so headsail is flapping a bit, but not tacking.
Hoist the smaller sail and get it drawing, by resuming course.
Take the lazy sheet off the No1 Genoa, and fix it as the second sheet on the smaller jib.
When you tack the bigger sail will be on the inside, with one slack sheet.
Lower it and fold away.
Practice when it is not critical.

And two head-swivels too, presumably? Otherwise not possible to furl the replacement sail?
Or you'll end up with the second halyard wrapped around the foil/forestay??
 
It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure we used to hoist the second sail in the lee of the existing sail, then tack and take down the original again in the lee of the new sail.



Good luck and fair winds. :)
 
I had one when I first bought Snark and used it for hoisting both sails ( no 2 & 3 Genoa ) for downwind work in light airs. Changing sails when you have a functioning roller system is a bit OTT IMO but whatever rocks your boat. Yes I know it'll sail more efficiently with a full but smaller sail when the wind picks up.

Before anyone asks, I had a new-ish No2 and a very old cut down No1 which was effectively a No3.
 
It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure we used to hoist the second sail in the lee of the existing sail, then tack and take down the original again in the lee of the new sail.

It all depends whether the existing sail is in the windward or leeward groove. It's not always convenient to tack to hoist the new sail so one needs to be able to do it either side. My experience is that it is usually easier hoist or drop the windward sail.
 
You cannot drop the sail which is on the head swivel if you have hoisted another sail up the spare slot.
You can however, not use the head swivel and use the twin slot furler as a luff system for changing headsails.
It is easier to hoist or lower the leeward one, but a sail will go up or down the windward slot if you give it a bit of a luff at key moments.
On my Harken system, like many others, you could remove the drum for racing and tack genoas to the deck, leaving the head swivel below the feeder out of the way.
 
Headsail peel or drop

The OP didn't mention a furler but obviously if you have the headsail on the top drum then you must lower it to the deck before hoisting the new sail.

In cruising mode or shorthanded it's easier to drop one sail before hoisting the new one.

In racing mode, provided you have two halyards and enough crew then you can do a peel as you tack: Put the boat onto the tack that exposes the empty track to the bowman on the foredeck. Attach the spare halyard and the tack of the new jib. Remove the lazy sheet from the old jib and attach it to the new one. Hoist the new sail over the windward side of the old one and set the halyard tension. When everyone's ready tack the boat and tension up the sheet on the new headsail. Next, drop the old sail onto the deck, remove the remaining sheet and attach it as the lazy sheet on the new sail. Stow the old sail and tidy up the halyard so that you are clear to tack. If necessary, you can now tack back onto your original course.

Note that some furler drums can be taken to the bottom of the foil and kept out of the way so that you can go racing and make use of the twin slots. But you cannot furl like this and must drop the sails to stow them.
 
And two head-swivels too, presumably? Otherwise not possible to furl the replacement sail?
Or you'll end up with the second halyard wrapped around the foil/forestay??

The OP does not say that they have a furling genoa.

Yes, stupidly omitted to mention that the foresail is on a roller furler. However I will probably not furl the No1 because is quite lightweight and I would rather take it down than furl it for use in heavier airs. I guess I will always use a spi halyard with the No1 and never furl it.

Boo2
 
You cannot drop the sail which is on the head swivel if you have hoisted another sail up the spare slot.
You can however, not use the head swivel and use the twin slot furler as a luff system for changing headsails.
It is easier to hoist or lower the leeward one, but a sail will go up or down the windward slot if you give it a bit of a luff at key moments.
On my Harken system, like many others, you could remove the drum for racing and tack genoas to the deck, leaving the head swivel below the feeder out of the way.

The OP didn't mention a furler but obviously if you have the headsail on the top drum then you must lower it to the deck before hoisting the new sail.

In cruising mode or shorthanded it's easier to drop one sail before hoisting the new one.

In racing mode, provided you have two halyards and enough crew then you can do a peel as you tack: Put the boat onto the tack that exposes the empty track to the bowman on the foredeck. Attach the spare halyard and the tack of the new jib. Remove the lazy sheet from the old jib and attach it to the new one. Hoist the new sail over the windward side of the old one and set the halyard tension. When everyone's ready tack the boat and tension up the sheet on the new headsail. Next, drop the old sail onto the deck, remove the remaining sheet and attach it as the lazy sheet on the new sail. Stow the old sail and tidy up the halyard so that you are clear to tack. If necessary, you can now tack back onto your original course.

Note that some furler drums can be taken to the bottom of the foil and kept out of the way so that you can go racing and make use of the twin slots. But you cannot furl like this and must drop the sails to stow them.

Yes, it is obvious now you both have mentioned it but there is no way to have a sail on the roller furler at the same time as another sail is raised. This means that I will always have to drop one sail first because it is my intention to always fly the No2 genoa on the furler no matter what sail it is I change to or from.

I have no plans to do any racing and I can't remember where the lead in comes in height terms in my foil but a pic is below in case anyone is interested.

Thanks for all the replies,

Boo2
pro_furl_roller.gif
 
It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure we used to hoist the second sail in the lee of the existing sail, then tack and take down the original again in the lee of the new sail.



Good luck and fair winds. :)

100%
But the No 1 might be an original sail before the RR was fitted so will tack at deck level, so too longer luff to fit the RR gear. as is mine, i have used it with the luff bent around the drum. my drum is demountable but i am lazy :o

PS change those halliards you are using for mooring :eek::eek:
 
Hi,

Can anyone tell me what is the best way to change foresails when a boat is rigged with a twin luff groove foil on a roller furler ? Sunrunner came with a 150% No 1 genoa as well as the day-to-day 130% No 2 genoa and I was just wondering what the normal procedure is for swapping between them with this setup ? Do I lower the current sail then raise the replacement or raise the new sail in the other groove before lowering the old sail ? If the latter then do I stand between the two sails, or work around the forestay/foil, or what ? Anyone know of any videos relating to this ?

Many thanks,

Boo2

<Edit: forgot to mention the foresail is on a roller furler>
As you've probably only got the one furler tack connection you'll have to take one down before rigging the other.
The twin groove on a furler was just like those stick-on go faster stripes for boy racers and intended for those who remove the drum and have conventional "whores' knickers" sails.
My solent is of the latter variety - I still have to take out what-ever genoa is on the roller furler before lifting it even though I have twin headsail halyards.
 
Hi Boo Two,
I replied on the basis that you did not mention a furler.
All is not lost however,
A No 2 jib can be hoisted free flying, but off the wind.
Some of the more adventurous types have hoisted this sail sideways in bad weather, offwind, and used it with pole as a spinaker.Less likely to shred in +40kts.
No easy answers on small crewed boats,these guys would have been "hairy **ed sailors", six up and well versed.
Think Fastnet Race types.
As you can see you get all types on here, but we try to be as helpful as we can!
Happy New Practical Boat Owning Year!
 
Anyone care to expand on the ins and outs of hoisting a second jib "free flying"? Ive often thought of it but never tried
.
 
Top