Travelling Westerly
Active member
Thanks Jonathan for the replyYou don't mention how many will be on board, if you are single handing or just the two of you its a totally different story to there being 6 competent individuals.
My comments are based on limited crew numbers.
Having used a tri-sail with a crew of 6 - I would never want to consider it with a crew of 2. Other may have better ideas.
Because of this we specified that our third (and final reefing point) massively reduces our main area. Our main is 45^2 and the third reef brings it down to 12m^2, on a 38' cat. We don't have a further reef, which might have been another option. But trying to attach a tri sail standing on a cabin roof in buildings seas, effectively single handed is not for the faint hearted.
As mentioned by another member we try to prepare in advance. We have 2 attached headsails a screecher, a sort of Code Zero (also 45m^2), and a 150% genoa (35m^2). We also carry a self tacking jib, which as it fits inside the foretriangle is a 'sort of' No4. If bad weather is forecast we remove the screecher and the genoa and simply replace the, furling, genoa with the self tacking jib and hank on the storm jib to the inner forestay.
I'll be interested in comments on use of tri sails.
As you are asking sensible questions on your 'developing' theme - you might want to extend the queries to jackstays and tethers.
Jonathan
It's just me, well my wife is on board as well but I write her out of any sailing duties at present. Once she has some sea miles under her belt then I may start to give her some duties but not right now.
As its effectively just me I must plan way before the weather gets up. As long as the weather forecast is accurate then I shouldn't find myself racing to change sail plans but I know you can get caught short. That's why I'm starting to practice setting up. I don't have any time constraints so I don't mind changing sails early and if they're not required in the end then so what - no big deal.
I like the idea of not having to use a trysail and just use a heavily reefed inmast main but want to hear if this is wise.
Jackstays and tethers already sorted and all my lines lead to my center cockpit