Sail wardrobe

[tgpt21]

During the summer in the Adriatic winds were mainly very light and consequently most progress was made under motor. My genoa was just too heavy and would not take any shape. I am thinking of investing in a lightweight genoa. What are the thoughts and experiences of the of the forum? What should I look for in such a sail. Not much on t'internet about these sails.

 

[PeteCooper]

A few years ago I saw a recommendation from a sailmaker for a lightweight Genoa made from Nylon. It would only be suitable in up to say 5mph winds.

 

[TigaWave]

Make sure you have nothing the sail can catch on while tacking or bearing away, I've used a lightweight Geny on a Sweden 38 and the deck fittings as well as baby stay fittings did some damage the first time out. They can be much more fragile!

 

[Twister_Ken]

If you do get a lightweight genny it should be one that is good to about 10kts apparent. Any less and it risks getting damaged in even a small gust. Also, put on lightweight sheets - standard sheets will weigh the clew down and stop it going into shape. If you're beating in very light airs, try to heel the boat to leeward with a body or two on the downhill rail. It helps the sails fall into shape.

The last boat I raced on (going back a good few years) had a laminate light weight that was almost see through and came with strict instructions from the sailmaker DO NOT USE ABOVE 12 KNOTS. That was good advice, It exploded in 15kts.

 

[William_H]

I think that a light weight dacron sail would be fine for your boat. The nylon will stretch and give too much camber for serious windward sailing in light winds. Make carefull measurements to get a sail which will fill the available space without being too big. If you want performance off the wind perhaps a spinnacker or genacker would suit better. (code 0) olewill

 

[mocruising]

Go for a furling Genakker (gennaker) I use mine most of the time in the Med. You may need a bowsprit these are very simple to fabricate.

 

[flaming]

Our light weight is for use in up to 9 knots. It comes down in a hell of a hurry when the wind tops 10 knots!

If you are looking for a lightweight then try a second hand racing sail, the medium 1 on most race boats would be fine for a lightweight on a cruising boat, the lightweight would probably be too fragile for your use.

 

[DRANNIE]

Just a thought, I'm considering moving from hank on to roller furling headsail. Dolphin said they might be able to convert my No 2. It it was likely the no 1 would be too light. Or they could make a new furling geonoa, use a twin foil I could switch to my old sails for racing or if i needed the bigger No 1.

Maybe a No1 equivalent with slides to use with a twin foil might be a good compromise then you only need to stick it up in very light winds and keep the heavier furling for normal use? Will you need a longer track or separate set of cars though?

Dolphin were pretty helpful in giving advice over the phone.

 

[charles_reed]

I found

a proper radial cut asymmetric far better for lightweight winds. Not to be confused with that beggars' compromise the cruising chute, but a proper one with hard luff and set out ahead of the stem by a pole about 1.2m long.
Mine allows tacking through 90 degrees and gives a boat speed of about true windspeed up to 7kt.