Changing headsails

[Davy_S]

Fit a removable Solent stay running parallel to the forestay and about 6" back. Use the Genoa up to about F4. If it gets windier than that swap to a blade jib on the Solent stay. Good for storm jib too.

This is exactly what I did with my Vega, mine had a 135% roller genoa, I loved it! the boat would sail perfectly on genoa alone. When it came to reefing, I never furled the genoa, I always put the first reef in the main and hung on to the full genoa as long as I could (the sail was old and baggy, it did not like being rolled up! If the wind got up too much, genoa away and blade in place. It worked for me.

 

[webcraft]

This is exactly what I did with my Vega, mine had a 135% roller genoa, I loved it! the boat would sail perfectly on genoa alone. When it came to reefing, I never furled the genoa, I always put the first reef in the main and hung on to the full genoa as long as I could (the sail was old and baggy, it did not like being rolled up! If the wind got up too much, genoa away and blade in place. It worked for me.

Davy, could you possibly be kind enough to PM me with details of how you fitted the removable stay? I've been wanting to do this to our Vega for a long time but never got round to it.

- W

 

[Davy_S]

PM sent.

 

[dunedin]

The rubbish shape of a part furled sail...?

Have you tried a well cut sail with a proper foam luff (or some use tapered rope)? This can transform the windward ability when part furled.

We fitted the foam luff genoa and a third reef on the mainsail and transformed the boat from a beast that would not go to windward above 25 knots true (without full race crew on the rail) to a delightful fast cruiser