furling genoa sheet length

[smeaks]

What is the ideal length for genoa sheets? Is there a rule of thumb with regard to boat length? I could just replace to the same length but i am interested in your inputs. Current are too long in that even fully unfurled the lazy sheet still has coils in the cockpit.

 

[Thistle]

I like to have a turn or two round the furled sail and then enough for both sheets to come back to the cockpit and be securely cleated off. I also put a tie round the furled sail. That way I think I can be pretty sure that the sail won't unfurl accidently when I am away from the boat.

 

[Salty John]

As a general rule headsail sheets are between 1 and 1.5 times boat length, depending on whether it's a small jib or a big genoa, but there are other variables. For instance, does the lazy sheet have to come forward to go around a babystay or not?
I would make sure the lazy sheet on your biggest genoa has at least enough slack to take a couple of turns on the winch.

 

[Guest]

Not only enough slack to allow turns on lazy winch ... but also enough to allow booming out of genny on pole. That makes quite a difference to slack in the sheets !

 

[john_morris_uk]

Boat length isn't a perfect factor for determining sheet lengths as it depends whether you have a centre cockpit or not, and what size genoa you have.

My preference is to ensure that I have enough sheet length to completely depower the genoa with the wind astern. In other words - can you let the genoa fly out to windward or not? I know I can usually roll the thing in, but I like to be prepared for when/if the furler jams.

The only way of knowing how long they need to be is to measure the boat and the genoa. 1.5 boat length might be ok...

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
Boat length isn't a perfect factor for determining sheet lengths as it depends whether you have a centre cockpit or not, and what size genoa you have.

My preference is to ensure that I have enough sheet length to completely depower the genoa with the wind astern. In other words - can you let the genoa fly out to windward or not? I know I can usually roll the thing in, but I like to be prepared for when/if the furler jams.

The only way of knowing how long they need to be is to measure the boat and the genoa. 1.5 boat length might be ok...

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly ... part of the reason I mentioned poling out.

taking it to extreme ... you would need sheet length of cockpit belaying point to tack point ... + genny foot length ... then let fly will have genny flying dead ahead de-powered.
In practice though a sheet length could be a little less than that ... to allow sufficient "let-fly" and poling out.

 

[john_morris_uk]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Boat length isn't a perfect factor for determining sheet lengths as it depends whether you have a centre cockpit or not, and what size genoa you have.

My preference is to ensure that I have enough sheet length to completely depower the genoa with the wind astern. In other words - can you let the genoa fly out to windward or not? I know I can usually roll the thing in, but I like to be prepared for when/if the furler jams.

The only way of knowing how long they need to be is to measure the boat and the genoa. 1.5 boat length might be ok...

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly ... part of the reason I mentioned poling out.

taking it to extreme ... you would need sheet length of cockpit belaying point to tack point ... + genny foot length ... then let fly will have genny flying dead ahead de-powered.
In practice though a sheet length could be a little less than that ... to allow sufficient "let-fly" and poling out.

[/ QUOTE ]Just realise I meant leeward - things don't fly out to windward!!

 

[Guest]

We all knew what you / I meant !!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif