Neil
Well-Known Member
Peter, thanks for the considerable effort that went in to your post - a lot to think about there! No doubt I'll get a handle on it in the coming season (there will be a 'summer' season won't there?) ....
Spilling wind and big flappy genoas
- Thread starter Neil
- Start date
DJE
Well-Known Member
I sail a Sadler 29 with a very similar sail plan to yours. Generally the boat is happiest when heeled to about 20 degrees. She can cope with a bit more in the gusts; the helm starts to get heavy but I find that a bit of weather helm on a reach is worth it for the extra speed. (The old adage is reef for the gusts is cruising and reef for the lulls if racing!)
Easing the genoa sheet in the gusts on a beat won't help. For a start it will mean sending one crew member to the wrong side of the boat which will increase the heel; and a tight sheet acts a bit like the clew outhaul on the main and helps to flatten the sail. You would be better off reefing.
If you get to the point of replacing the old 150% genoa (as I did after a couple of years) I would recommend a 135% general purpose roller genoa and keep the old 150% for light wind days and/or for downwind work. I also have a 105% high clewed No.3 genoa which is great for windy days. At the top of a F4 going upwind with about 17 to 20 knots apparent wind full main and No.3 genoa would be perfect.
Stangely I find that the helm stays pretty light when close hauled even at large angles of heel but when you crack off onto a close reach it quickly starts to get quite heavy.
Easing the genoa sheet in the gusts on a beat won't help. For a start it will mean sending one crew member to the wrong side of the boat which will increase the heel; and a tight sheet acts a bit like the clew outhaul on the main and helps to flatten the sail. You would be better off reefing.
If you get to the point of replacing the old 150% genoa (as I did after a couple of years) I would recommend a 135% general purpose roller genoa and keep the old 150% for light wind days and/or for downwind work. I also have a 105% high clewed No.3 genoa which is great for windy days. At the top of a F4 going upwind with about 17 to 20 knots apparent wind full main and No.3 genoa would be perfect.
Stangely I find that the helm stays pretty light when close hauled even at large angles of heel but when you crack off onto a close reach it quickly starts to get quite heavy.