Oday 25 downwind performance

[ebsail]

Finally got my 25 up and running and now I'm racing it. We only have a less than 100% jib with a PHRF #on the boat of 261, the highest in our club. Our downwind performance really stinks. No so bad up wind. Can anyone tell me how things go with a 135% or a 150 jib? Will a 135 jib trim properly back to the rails adjacent to the cockpit or do I need a 150? We've tried everything to get faster downwind, short of a spinaker, including pulling up the center board and poling out the jib but it still sucks. I know this isn't a racer, but I know we can do better.
I would look for a used 135 jib if I knew it would trim properly with the existing cockpit coaming track. Anyone have any experience to share? By the way, this list has been most helpful over the past few months, even though this is my eighth boat.
Ernie

 

[RichBone]

For downwind performance you need all the sail area you can get. If you not using a spinnaker then go with a 155 genoa (max size allowed) with the max allowed whisker pole. It'll be better than a 135 in light air up wind also.
I have a 155 and it works good with the genoa track. I don't know how well the 135 would fit with the track. It would need a high clew. You'd have to talk to a sail maker about this.
Sorry, but if you're trying to race on the cheap your results will show it. Racing or not there is no substitute for good sails.
How smooth is the hull bottom?

Rich

 

[ebsail]

For downwind performance you need all the sail area you can get. If you not using a spinnaker then go with a 155 genoa (max size allowed) with the max allowed whisker pole. It'll be better than a 135 in light air up wind also.
I have a 155 and it works good with the genoa track. I don't know how well the 135 would fit with the track. It would need a high clew. You'd have to talk to a sail maker about this.
Sorry, but if you're trying to race on the cheap your results will show it. Racing or not there is no substitute for good sails.
How smooth is the hull bottom?

Rich

Hi Rich- You are correct in that there is no cheap way to win races. I was kind of hoping that I wouldn't need to go all the way to a 155% since thats a pain to crank in for a 72 year old, when everything kinda hurts. And yeah the bottom isn't all that great at this point but will be smoother than a baby's a-s by next year. I will talk to a sail maker about a new jib. Even a 135 would give me 40 more square feet than I have now. Oh well, more $$$$$$