One sail or two?

[Dyflin]

As they say, everyday is a school day so I thought I’d throw out a question. I read with interest the thread on how to depower whilst on a broad reach. Most of the posters indicated that they sail with headsail alone in strong winds whilst on this tack. This is always something that has played on my mind. I have (rightly or wrongly) always been concerned that having too much sail either for’d or behind the mast would put undue strain on the rigging and it would be more prudent to have a balance through judiciously reefed and furled sails instead? If you are running downwind then the strain will admittedly be less as the apparent wind speed will be lower than true. But, if all of a sudden, a broad alteration of course is called for, the apparent speed will significantly increase and therefore the load on the rigging also.

So, will it stand up to the punishment of single sail only or should a balance be achieved by using both sails at reduced area?

 

[fireball]

Upwind I would generally go for 2 - as it gives a good balance of force over the pivot point (keel) ...

Downwind though is a different matter - the headsail gives a PULL on the rig whilst the main tends to give a push (depends on your backstay though) ... I'd rather sail under headsail than main if I'm in any doubt ...

However, a flogging headsail can be quite violent, so its better not to flog it if you change course ...

 

[Athene V30]

I hate it on a reach /run when the genoa collapses and then fills with a crack so I tend to reef both genoa and main particularly if there is any sea running and keep the sail plan as ballanced as possible, easing pressure on the helm and saving the helmsman's arm or more likely in my case the autopilot working overtime!.

 

[Marmalade]

If downwind in light airs then cruising chute or genoa poled out. If in stronger winds then Genoa only. We brought Marmalade back from Haslar in a SW F8 true and made Dover in a day, rarely dropping below 8.5 knots - on the genoa only.

Simon

 

[Neraida]

Not trying to be dumb here, but upwind, if you have 2, use them. I have always thought that the advantage of a bermudan rig is the accelerated airflow through the "slot" twix headsail(s) and the back of the main...

Downwind, its very boat specific. When I was a nipper my family chartered a Westerly Discus and that sailed downwind far better with just the genoa than with both. Neraida on the otherhand is an absolute cow unless she has her main up in some way (7/8 sloop).

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Back to your original question...... if we park the issue of comfort, eg two reefed sails being more comfortable than one full sail, and instead look at the issue of loads, I can't see how it makes any difference..... in the case of whether the foresail would put more load on than both sails, they would both exert their force through the backstay, and down to the chain plate.... I wouldn't have thought that it makes any difference at all which sails are being used provided they create the same degree of force, as in both cases it is directed through the same stay and fixing points....

 

[Searush]

Def 2, but then I start with 3, and I do sometimes choose 1. WTF?

 

[graham]

Downwind sailing on foresail alone has the advantage that the sail isnt blanketed by the main.If you need to reduce sail further a headsail is easier to lower or easier still to furl if you have roller furling.The boat will be very easy to steer and no boom to worry about in a gybe.

Upwind most boats sail much better with reefed main and jib.

On a sensibly rigged cruising yacht the mast and rig will take either option.