What size head sails are 310 folks running?

[max_sailing]

Hey 310 folks,

I’m looking at a new head sail, and considering the LP%. My boat came with a 115%, which is a lot easier/cleaner to tack than I’m used to with bigger genoas, but I’m not sure how much performance I’m giving up. I’m located now in the Bay Area where there’s plenty of wind in the summer, so particularly interested to hear from folks in higher wind locations. What are you flying?

Max

 

[rpwillia]

Mine has a 130, but I have been toying with getting a 95 as I think it would help me point higher.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Max, I sailed SF Bay on my own boats from 1983 to 2016. Except for the first few years with a 110 on my C22, I've used an 85 for the summer and a 110 for winter (C25 87-98, C34 98-16). You really do not "give up" anything by not using a larger jib. Indeed on SF Bay with wind a larger jib will slow you down by heeling the boat too much. There's rarely enough light air days to justify a big headsail.

 

[SJN]

My Catalina 310, hull 260 has a roller furled 115. I sail the Salish Sea. Sometimes in very light winds I think about changing over to my 135, yet never have done so in five years. The reason: the boat gets tender at 18 knots and needs reefing at 20 or more. I do not find the difference between a 115 and 135 worth the change. The 115 provides performance I am able to single hand with relative ease.

 

[jssailem]

I like your thinking @SJN. Get and use sails that let you manage your boat in the waters you like to sail. What a great concept!

 

[max_sailing]

This is great feedback.

I’m starting to think I need two sails: A working jib for SF summers, and a 135 for winter light winds and/or my Mexico trip ambitions.

Either that, or just stick with 115… It did work well enough for me over the past two years in everything from super light Portland summer winds all the way to 35kts offshore, with reefing only needed above 18.

Hard (and several thousand dollar) call.

 

[kappykaplan]

I’m starting to think I need two sails: A working jib for SF summers, and a 135 for winter light winds and/or my Mexico trip ambitions.

I have two headsails: a 110 and a 150. I used to do a lot of solo with the 150 - way too much sail when the wind piped up. I am quite satisfied with the 110 in all wind conditions, so much so that it's been 10 years or so since I used the 150.

 

[Ward H]

My boat came with a 115%, which is a lot easier/cleaner to tack than I’m used to with bigger genoas,

This is the reason we just ordered a 100% jib to replace my 135% genoa.
With our winds rarely below 10 and mostly 12 to 20 we opted for the higher pointing ability of an unfurled jib, ease of tacking and better visibility.