Is our yankee too small? (Includes photo)

[demonboy]

Been wondering this since we bought the boat, which appears to be set up for optimum average sailing, including a very high cut yankee. In light winds we're crawling because we just don't have that forward acceleration but replacing it with a 150% genoa is probably going a bit too far.

To put this in context, we are planning a trip down the Red Sea and into the Indian Ocean where we'll spend a number of days sailing into light winds. She's cutter rigged and Esper loves sailing close hauled (with the ketch rig she sails herself) but the stronger the winds the better - this summer we've suffered some of the lightest winds since buying the boat!

Does anyone have any comments on replacing this head sail with a bigger one? One suggestion has been to replace the current yankee with a new one that's still high cut but comes back further...

See pic of Esper's high cut yankee. Photo courtesy of Lady Jessie (we'll get that video clip to you soon!).

 

[Koeketiene]

Been looking at converting Guapa from sloop to cutter.
Sail loft re-worked our sailplan, our proposed yankee is not cut as high as yours.

 

[Carolwildbird]

Mine looks quite similar- but my boat came with a light wind genoa on a mini self furler (sort of half way towards a cruising chute, but flown as a genoa), which I use if the wind gets too light for the yankee. Its one of these (or very similar- made by hood), with the luff wire & combined furling gear: http://www.hood-sails.com/MP-G.htm

 

[ebbtide]

"This summer we've suffered some of the lightest winds since buying the boat!"

Where are you, we're all emigrating!

IMHO you've clearly compromised sail size for 'safe' performance, good visibility and ease of handling, but please don't winge about it. A 150% genoa would be an improvement as long as you don't mind charging round the Med bumping into things!
Have you considered an asymmetric cruising chute for light airs? There are some enthusiasts here who will swear you can even use them to windward . . .

 

[demonboy]

Er, sorry, let me explain again.

The problem is sailing INTO wind. We have light-weight downwind sails including cruising chute, mizzen saty sail and spinnaker. We can't sail any closer to wind than a broad reach with the cruising chute. I'd be interested to hear of anyone sailing close-hauled with a chute, though I seriously doubt the practically of this with the two of us who aren't racers, even if this were possible.

Also I take issue with your suggestion that WE compromised our sail size vs performance: the sails are what came with the boat! I'm trying to find alternative sail plans. I agree with you, however, that a 150% genoa is too big. I don't want to be changing head sails so I'm looking for a 'general purpose' sail.

Any further constructive suggestions appreciated.

 

[mpo]

Hi Demonboy

We also have a cutter rig with a high cut yankee. For windward! work in light airs ( up to 15 knot apparent ) we use a lightweight MPG Multi purpose genoa. We make good progress to windward but only from 40 - 90 degrees off the wind. Comes with its own snap on furler and a dream to hoist and retrieve, can even be left in place furled up, we clip it on just aft of the yankee and winch it up bar tight.

Hope this helps.

 

[LadyJessie]

Thanks for the kudo's for the photo. I think you look very good there; sails perfectly set.

Your self-analysis is spot on imho. You don't have a sailplan that generates a lot of upwind performance except in very strong winds. I am not sure why you should rule out a 150% genoa. As you know, I have one that is low cut and it gives a lot of power in light winds. If it is on a roller furling; it is also a lot easier to handle than any shute/gennaker/spinnaker. Give it a thought. I think that might still be your solution.

 

[Abaker]

I'd go for a bigger Yankee, say 120% to 130% and sheeted farther aft when fully unfurled. Then if you want to roll it in to 100% or a little less when upwind with an increasing breeze, the roll on the headstay won't cause as much drag as you'd get with a 150 in similar conditions.

 

[ccscott49]

I'd go for a much bigger yankee and then ypu can GIVE that old on to me, great for twin downwind sailing on my boat!!

 

[dratsea]

Going up wind a bigger main might help. You need the foresail to go down wind. Down wind you will rock and roll. Anything bigger and you will put it in the water, look well chosen sails. Happy sailing

 

[srm]

Nice looking sail plan, would be fine in the North Atlantic.

Personally I would go for a lightweight drifter, either nylon or light dacron, cut for windward work in winds of F1 - 2. Nylon could be set flying or with a snuffer. Dacron would probably require wire luff for furling as mentioned above and could be used in slightly stronger winds. Don't be tempted to hang on to the light weight sail as the wind increases though, it will be fun but will ruin the shape.

Have fun.

 

[Sequoiah1]

Looks to me like all the sails are pretty small, if thats an in mast main thats part of your problem as well.
Solution for light airs headsail is ok until you have to tack the thing so I dont think that will work to your satisfaction. It needs to tack forward of your existing headstays and then is tensioned at the tack,it looks like you have some big chunks of s/s to attache the tack to) or go for the removable short sprits you see about. These light air headsails will work up to about 12knts apparent. My best guess would be to increase the Yankee or go for a 130% Genoa. If you have a twin groove extrusion on your head furler this would still leave you with being able to use your existing configurations as well.

If you have the time and inclination give a good sailmaker the sail plan of your boat and photos of the sails as is and see what they can come up with.