Storm jib

[sailingcatlady]

Can anyone advise me please as to the (preferably metric) size I would need for a storm jib, to be used (well, one hopes never to have to use it!) on a catamaran, length 42ft, beam 18ft.

 

[alant]

As big as you can handle & as small as you need.

Surely it depends upon what sort of sailing do you do, winds anticipated & where?
You are unlikely to be going to windward in a Cat, or wanting a strong wind beam on with accompanying waves, so 'off wind' is perhaps the order of the day.

If it really is 'storm' conditions, you might be better with bare poles laying 'a hull' or with a sea anchor/drogue.

 

[FullCircle]

Try phoning Paul lees at Crusader, he has a sort of chart that he picks given your rig measurements, OA Length etc.
Mine for 35ft Mono is 70sq ft and fits well with the emergency forestay rig.

 

[charles_reed]

One of the problems with a storm jib in a real storm is that it invariably proves to be too big (Sidney/Hobart report).

Though I have a storm jib (60ft2) I prefer to use the working jib (127ft2) on the roller reefer.

I've sailed to windward on this rolled to about 30ft2 in about 50 knots and found it quite large enough, thanks.

The designer of the craft would be the best person to advise - I'd hesitate to comment as some multihulls have very exiguous mainsails, whilst others are sub 3/4 rigs.

 

[damo]

Some info here http://www.baconsails.com/stormjib.html, and the Offshore Rules specs give useful guidance.

I second Crusader for good advice (happy customer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Isn't it sortof bad form to post on both PBO and Liveaboard like wat sailingcatlady has done? Seems pointless as most forumites trawl through the posts anyway.

 

[sailingcatlady]

Sorry to have offended you, Saltwater Gypsy ---
I lives and I learns.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

No offence m'dear. I only asked because I don't know the etiquette on this delicate matter!!