Champagne Murphy
Well-Known Member
Here's the thing; limited budget, current sail wardrobe extensive but aged. Granny's knickers if you will. If you can only have one new one a year which is it going to be, genoa or main?
Genoa or Main
- Thread starter Champagne Murphy
- Start date
Georgio
Well-Known Member
Depends on the rig. Masthead rig that is mostly powered by genoa I would go for a new genoa. Fractional rig with a larger main - you guess the answer....
RupertW
Well-Known Member
Any old sail can reach or go downwind so I would choose on the basis of new genny for best way of improving upwind sailing. We had that choice last year, but chose the main as it was so very very baggy - actually improved beating just a little. The new genoa this year has made the biggest difference to minimising heel and improving the angle. But it's just been a 4 hour test in 25/30 knot winds so far - too early to really tell.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
You must be joking! More like one every 5-10 years.
Replace gene, and get main recut / flattened and whilst its being done, get full length battens put in.
prv
Well-Known Member
I don't think he meant one new sail every year!
Rather new main this year, new genoa next year, find something else to spend money on after that
Pete
bedouin
Well-Known Member
What do you mean by an extensive wardrobe - are any of them serviceable?
If you intend to use more than one genoa then replace the main first. Otherwise probably the genoa
If you intend to use more than one genoa then replace the main first. Otherwise probably the genoa
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
If the boat is 1970's design, I suggest that you replace the genoa. The 70's boats suffer from whether helm which requires to put a slab and reduce the main well before you need to reduce the genoa; the genoas drive the boat more than the main, especially, on the reach and close to the wind. However, if the boat is resent design, I suggest that you replace the main instead.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
That's what I did. £70 to recut the main in 2009.
Champagne Murphy
Well-Known Member
Actually the main isn't too bad, it's an ex-racing sail. There is a cruising main which is fairly banjaxxed so that's in reserve a present. It was recut but stretched again within a year. No2 Genny has quite a big overlap so tends to induce weather helm. Its the normal usage foresail but showing signs of bagginess. No3 is really a heavy weather sail and No1 is definitely for light airs and seldom sees the light of day.
I'm thinking replace the No2 Genny and see how we go.
Sounds fair?
I'm thinking replace the No2 Genny and see how we go.
Sounds fair?
bedouin
Well-Known Member
Maybe go for a more normal #3 - say 110%
Sounds as if your #2 is a bit large for a general purpose sail
dunedin
Well-Known Member
If got a furler, get new genoa but foam luff absolutely essential.
Slowtack
Well-Known Member
Headsail
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
Main has more control lines and battening to resist baggy age related losses. Genoa all you can do is over tighten leach and foot lines to reduce flutter. So this is ' the one' to value IMO
My biradial headsail has now done 13 years old, eek, time soon to be thinking about 'poshing up'. My new, spare main just sits in storage onboard, after a trial weeks work, it's predecessor is just grand ( still)..differing loadings, see?
My biradial headsail has now done 13 years old, eek, time soon to be thinking about 'poshing up'. My new, spare main just sits in storage onboard, after a trial weeks work, it's predecessor is just grand ( still)..differing loadings, see?
Champagne Murphy
Well-Known Member
Standard Sadler issue, I think
bedouin
Well-Known Member
My boat is of similar vintage - the original #2 had a comparatively short luff. I've found for me that the 110% #3 is the best general purpose sail to keep on the furler.
In my case the problems with the #2 are made worse because the sheeting angle is not particularly good so I can get 5 degrees closer with #1 or #3
DJE
Well-Known Member
Sounds like she's a Sadler. No question that a new genoa should be the first priority. I have a 29 and the No.1 is about 150% which is too big for a general purpose roller furling sail. Get a good 135% No.2 and (if funds allow) a 105% No.3 for windy days. A new headsail will transform the boat upwind. Having done all that I got a new main when the old one literally fell to pieces. I now furl the genoa approaching harbour and find myself pleasantly surprised that the boat actually carries on sailing with just the main up. She never did that with the old main.
She's a sailing boat. Get some good sails and make the most of her.
She's a sailing boat. Get some good sails and make the most of her.
