Using a genoa with a staysail?

[Tim Good]

I have always had a main, staysail and Yankee setup. However, I go have a genoa unused sat in the sail locker. Has anyone got a cutter rig and has used a genoa and staysail configuration?

Is it a case of using one or the other when you have the genoa as opposed to using the Yankee and staysail together?

 

[Douglas T]

1) is sail area centre of effort still ok?
2) how hard is it to tack genoa round through gap between forestays?

 

[Tim Good]

1) is sail area centre of effort still ok?
2) how hard is it to tack genoa round through gap between forestays?

I think you're assuming I've had the genoa on the boat before.

1) Do you mean with a genoa will the boat be balanced still? I don't know but assume so. The sails are top end Hood and made for the boat.

2) Good point. It might be hard work. The yankee deals with it ok. Suppose the only thing to do is try.

 

[JVL]

I have always had a main, staysail and Yankee setup. However, I go have a genoa unused sat in the sail locker. Has anyone got a cutter rig and has used a genoa and staysail configuration?

Is it a case of using one or the other when you have the genoa as opposed to using the Yankee and staysail together?

I sail a cutter and for the most use the designed working rig Yankee staysail, main . When the wind is light i change the Yankee and staysail to genoa and main, I have in the past tried leaving the staysail up on a beam reach but I could see no benefit and it can get in the way. On a downwind run it is blanketed by the main so does nothing

John

 

[Tim Good]

I sail a cutter and for the most use the designed working rig Yankee staysail, main . When the wind is light i change the Yankee and staysail to genoa and main

Thanks. Problem is my Genoa weighs about 35kg and enormous. Even worse is then somehow folding away afterwards

Do you know if Yankees are cut differently depending on sailing styles? With a bit of wind my leech tends to flog and the whole cut of it seems like it was design for off the wind sailing and not beating. I have tried tightening the leech line but doesn't help really.

Does yours do the same?

 

[JVL]

Thanks. Problem is my Genoa weighs about 35kg and enormous. Even worse is then somehow folding away afterwards

Do you know if Yankees are cut differently depending on sailing styles? With a bit of wind my leech tends to flog and the whole cut of it seems like it was design for off the wind sailing and not beating. I have tried tightening the leech line but doesn't help really.

Does yours do the same?

Afraid I can't help with the weight of your sail , I assume you have roller furling so a bit of a faff at sea changing sails but if your leaving on passage it's normally worth changing as the forecast/ gribs indicate. Without seeing it the state of your Yankee it is of opinion, it sounds stretched get a sailmaker to look at it and if it needs it recut(assuming its worth it) swigging up on the leach line to much just leads to it being "hooked" . Go out in about 15 kn of wind set the Yankee (try it with the leach line loose, trim so it's pulling tidy then staysail then the main you might be suprised how well she goes!

John

Ps check your car position if she flogs/ flutters!

 

[oldvarnish]

Thanks. Problem is my Genoa weighs about 35kg and enormous. Even worse is then somehow folding away afterwards

My problem too, and I'm cutter rigged. That's the reason that neither me, nor the previous owner, has had the genoa out of the bag.

Instead, I've got an MPG http://www.hoodaustralia.com.au/index.cfm?paraID=7

 

[rotrax]

I sail a cutter and for the most use the designed working rig Yankee staysail, main . When the wind is light i change the Yankee and staysail to genoa and main, I have in the past tried leaving the staysail up on a beam reach but I could see no benefit and it can get in the way. On a downwind run it is blanketed by the main so does nothing

John

Genoa-135%-and self tacking staysail is OE on our 15 year old Island Packet.

In a blow-25knts plus I had trouble getting the Genoa furled-it beat heavily on the shrouds during a 40knt squall off Lymington a few years ago and removed most of the UV strip.

We had it repaired but ordered a 100% Yankee to replace it.

The yankee is much more suitable for our two handed cruising by two pensioners. It is easy to handle, easy to furl, sets much better when reefed and allows so much better visibility.

When we have light winds where a big Genoa might be usefull we use the Iron Jib.........................

 

[bats]

Sailing a Vancouver 28. Ivan at Arun sails suggested adding a Dyneema luff rope to my seldom used genoa. For downwind work I have flown a poled out Yankee on one side. On the other is the Genoa poled out by the end of the boom. Easy to hoist with the spinnaker halliard. Luff is free and the slot may counteract rolling downwind.

Mike

 

[Yngmar]

Yes, on a cutter-rigged ketch where you have the mizzen for balance. The genoa is on a furler, as is the staysail. Furling the rather large Genoa does leave one sweaty (especially in current south coast weather). Tacking the Genoa past the staysail didn't usually need help except when poorly executed.

 

[TQA]

I have a cutter with a 130% genoa on roller reefing . The staysail is hank on and the inner forestay is removeable.

Yes it is a PITA to tack through the gap.

But the set up really works for me as I rarely have to tack as I reach up and down in the trades in the Eastern Carib. I love the flexibility of rolling the genoa away pulling a slab in and still being balanced.

If I know I will be tacking then I think about wind strength and either use the genoa with inner forestay removed in light winds or the staysail without the genoa when it is blowing.