Twin Headsails

[Guest]

I would appreciate some advice on people's experiences with setting up a twin-headsail system for downwind sailing.

I would like a balanced alternative to using a spinnaker on it's own (ie no main), and such a system would seem the only realistic choice for a sloop-rigged boat.

The desired outcome would be something like twin 100% jibs (about 600 sq ft in my current boat). This seems quite adequate to me. The sail also matches my current spinnaker pole length - so would leave me requiring another sail and pole (ie half the cost of a complete set of gear).

My current set-up is very conventional with a standard furlex with twin-groove luff. I have a normal set of spinnaker gear.

I would particularly like advice on how to set the second sail when you have roller reefing on the forestay (block on the swivel, different foil?), and how easy it proved to be to set, reef etc.

Further, is there any issue about the load placed on the forestay/roller? This is a lot of sail area (much bigger than a no.1 genoa), and is likely to be left up in stronger winds than a spinnaker might be.

thanks
Further,

 

[PaulJ]

I cannot speak from practical experience of using this settup as my boat isn't finished yet but I did a fair bit of homework on the subject before ordering my sails which were delivered a couple of weeks ago.....

I was talked out of using two sails on the one foil firstly because of the strain on the forestay but also because it is quite a cumbersome settup should you have to manoeuvre onto a different tack. I was persuaded that a better settup is to have the second foresail made with a wire or Dyneema luff and to use it free flying.

My boat is cutter rigged so I have a high cut Yankee and not a Genoa and I have had the Downwind sail made slightly larger and of a slightly lighter cloth. It has TWO Luff-ropes - the Dyneema for when it is flying free and also a thinner one so that it can bee used upwind as the sole sail on the roller foil in prolonged periods of light winds. When used "free" it will be used with a "Gennaker furler" which will hopefully make it easier to deploy. This settup also has the advantage that should I be unlucky enough to lose the forestay, I may still be able to sail upwind using the downwind sail to help support the mast. 'Best of both worlds?......... well as near as you're likely to get!

 

[Guest]

Thnaks very much. That pretty much covered most of the issues that were concerning me. My existing working jib is a high-clew sail, much like a yankee (obviously easier to fly on a pole) - which is why I was going to buy a second more or less like it.

Out of interest, who made your additional sail with the twin luff ropes?

thanks

 

[Guest]

there was an article published in cruising sailor in 1998 on downwind sail combinations;1998;try htem ;if no satisfaction email me and i'll send copy;good luck.www.cruisingsailor.com/cruisingarticles/downwind sailing in the trades.httm

 

[PaulJ]

The whole suit of sails was made by Osen Sails, Unit A, 3, Richmond Walk
Plymouth, Devon. PL1 4LL 01752 881812.

Obviously I haven't used them yet but they appear to be very well thought out, well made and as "bomb-proof" as you are likely to find.

 

[Guest]

My 1/4 ton cupboat has a twin forestay system to allow chnaging of sails .... you are NOT allowed furling systems in racing ....

The forestay attachment comes up to a triangle plate that then connects to two stays up to the mast attachment point with a similar trinagle plate.

I have 'flown two gennys - one from one stay and the other from the other stay, of course they are piston-hanked on sails.

But I have decided that the best way is to fly the second free, by fastening the tack to the stemhead and then the head to a second halyard ... ie spinnaker halyard. As long as your sail has a good boltrope ie wire, then this should not be any problem.

If you do this in any wind greater than what you would fly a spinnaker, then I think conditions are too strong and it is unadvisable.