Hi all, I am in the process of upgrading my headsail/Genoa on my '78 Catalina 30. I was wondering what the difference is in performance on a 150 vs. 135 Genoa - is it that noticable? I just do basic cruising and really never race my boat...should I go with a 135? Thanks - Rob
135 or 150 Genoa?
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This question...
... is pretty hard to answer. A lot depends on the wind conditions where you sail (Long Island Sound?). On the Chesapeake, for example, we have notoriously light winds in mid-summer (fondly called the "doldrums" here). As a result, I bought a 150 furling genoa for my Hunter 28.5 and have been very happy with it. This sail is great for my boat in winds up to 15-16 kts or so. At that point, I've to either reef the main or furl the genoa -- and I usually choose the latter since it's easier and I single hand the boat a lot. I've also found that with leech and foot control lines, and a foam luff, I can furl/reef the 150 headsail much further than the common belief that anything more than a 30 per cent furl will degrade performance. Not only does the boat sail very well with a tightly furled headsail (sometimes up to 50 per cent furled), but performance is not what you're looking for when cruising in rising winds anyway. Having said all this, a 135 is a very common and popular headsail and would probably be somewhat less expensive and would work pretty well in most conditions. So in addition to cost, the only other major consideration IMHO would be just how much you want to sqeeze out of your boat when the winds are really thin.
... is pretty hard to answer. A lot depends on the wind conditions where you sail (Long Island Sound?). On the Chesapeake, for example, we have notoriously light winds in mid-summer (fondly called the "doldrums" here). As a result, I bought a 150 furling genoa for my Hunter 28.5 and have been very happy with it. This sail is great for my boat in winds up to 15-16 kts or so. At that point, I've to either reef the main or furl the genoa -- and I usually choose the latter since it's easier and I single hand the boat a lot. I've also found that with leech and foot control lines, and a foam luff, I can furl/reef the 150 headsail much further than the common belief that anything more than a 30 per cent furl will degrade performance. Not only does the boat sail very well with a tightly furled headsail (sometimes up to 50 per cent furled), but performance is not what you're looking for when cruising in rising winds anyway. Having said all this, a 135 is a very common and popular headsail and would probably be somewhat less expensive and would work pretty well in most conditions. So in addition to cost, the only other major consideration IMHO would be just how much you want to sqeeze out of your boat when the winds are really thin.
Use what everyone else is using
Find out what other Catalina 30 owners in your sailing area are using and do the same. I also had a Catalina 30. On the northerern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, most C30 owners use a 150 due to the average lighter winds. On the south Texas coast of the gulf of mexico, most C30 owners use a 135 due to the average higher winds than the norther coast.
Find out what other Catalina 30 owners in your sailing area are using and do the same. I also had a Catalina 30. On the northerern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, most C30 owners use a 150 due to the average lighter winds. On the south Texas coast of the gulf of mexico, most C30 owners use a 135 due to the average higher winds than the norther coast.
Not a big Deal if your not racing
Rob, to be really honest, the difference between a 135 and a 150 is not a lot for just everyday sailing, in fact, when the wind picks up it is a lot easier to control the 135. Over the years I have found that I use my smaller head sail more than my 150 just because it is easier to handle, and goes to windward just as good as my 150, the most notable effect is when on lazy days when I only use the Genoa I don't get as much speed. Hope this helps Kurt
Rob, to be really honest, the difference between a 135 and a 150 is not a lot for just everyday sailing, in fact, when the wind picks up it is a lot easier to control the 135. Over the years I have found that I use my smaller head sail more than my 150 just because it is easier to handle, and goes to windward just as good as my 150, the most notable effect is when on lazy days when I only use the Genoa I don't get as much speed. Hope this helps Kurt
For cruising, I would go with the 135%
The summer winds on Lake Michigan can be quite light, so for racing, the 155% is absolutely required. However, when I'm cruising with my wife, the 135% is easier to control. It all depends on how you use your boat and what the winds are like. Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909
The summer winds on Lake Michigan can be quite light, so for racing, the 155% is absolutely required. However, when I'm cruising with my wife, the 135% is easier to control. It all depends on how you use your boat and what the winds are like. Steve Alchemist C-30T #4764 Alchemist C-320 #909
Better sail Shape
I believe the 135 will give you better sail shape overall and will be easier to handle and tack the boat.
I believe the 135 will give you better sail shape overall and will be easier to handle and tack the boat.
150 vs 135
If you have lots of very light winds, go for the 150...it will be there when you need it. When it start getting too windy roll it up.
If you have lots of very light winds, go for the 150...it will be there when you need it. When it start getting too windy roll it up.
tall rig or not?
Hi, If you have a tall rig C30 then get the 135. If not, get the 150. Otherwise you will be sorry come July and August when the wind if light. Make sure you get a foam luff or something like that so you can make the sail smaller for the heavy wind in late September and October. Good luck, Barry
Hi, If you have a tall rig C30 then get the 135. If not, get the 150. Otherwise you will be sorry come July and August when the wind if light. Make sure you get a foam luff or something like that so you can make the sail smaller for the heavy wind in late September and October. Good luck, Barry
Standard rig
Thanks I appreciate the feedback....I will check on the Catalina 30 Forum too and see what they say. I guess if I go with the 150...I could always furl it in... Thx - Rob
Thanks I appreciate the feedback....I will check on the Catalina 30 Forum too and see what they say. I guess if I go with the 150...I could always furl it in... Thx - Rob
Definitely the 135
I replaced my 150 with a 135 with a foam luff from Scott Sails. This was a great decision. There is plenty of sail for the light wind days and I found that the 150 was frequently too much sail and did not hold a good shape when deeply reefed.
I replaced my 150 with a 135 with a foam luff from Scott Sails. This was a great decision. There is plenty of sail for the light wind days and I found that the 150 was frequently too much sail and did not hold a good shape when deeply reefed.
Sail Shape
Unfortunately is not as simple as furling the 150. Sail shape will not very good resulting in poor pointing ability. If your winds are predominantly light by all means get the 150. Check and see what your counterparts are flying as the Catalina 30 is a hog and may need the 150 even for medium air.
Unfortunately is not as simple as furling the 150. Sail shape will not very good resulting in poor pointing ability. If your winds are predominantly light by all means get the 150. Check and see what your counterparts are flying as the Catalina 30 is a hog and may need the 150 even for medium air.
Another option...
Here's another option I haven't seen mentioned so far but it worked out great for me. This year I replace my 270's factory 135 with a 155 Pentax Genoa. Since I like to sail in heavy wind and I also had a dacron 100 built as well and added some T-track and jib cars at the mast for it. When winds are 10-15, I fly the 155. More than that, the 100 goes up. The 100 and a reefed main easily handles winds near 30. More than that the main comes down. Yes, there is a bit of extra work hoisting and stowing the sails, but its not that big of a deal. In fact, since neither has a UV cover this is a daily ritual taking no more than 15 minutes or so. Flying the full 100 sheeted in close to the mast sails LOTS better than the 155 reefed to same size. There's less heel, less weather helm and the boat is fast. Makes those heavy wind days a lot more fun.
Here's another option I haven't seen mentioned so far but it worked out great for me. This year I replace my 270's factory 135 with a 155 Pentax Genoa. Since I like to sail in heavy wind and I also had a dacron 100 built as well and added some T-track and jib cars at the mast for it. When winds are 10-15, I fly the 155. More than that, the 100 goes up. The 100 and a reefed main easily handles winds near 30. More than that the main comes down. Yes, there is a bit of extra work hoisting and stowing the sails, but its not that big of a deal. In fact, since neither has a UV cover this is a daily ritual taking no more than 15 minutes or so. Flying the full 100 sheeted in close to the mast sails LOTS better than the 155 reefed to same size. There's less heel, less weather helm and the boat is fast. Makes those heavy wind days a lot more fun.
Benny is all wet
It IS as simple as furling the 150. The standard textbook answer is "Sail shape will not very good resulting in poor pointing ability. " which is true, but not to any major degree from my experience with a Catalina 30 tall rig. I have rolled my 150 to less than 100 in winds of 18 to 20K and still pointed well and also still exceeded hull speed. And, while the C30 may not be a race boat, it certainly is not... "Catalina 30 is a hog". I stand by my original statement...find out what other C30 owners in your area are using. Have fun in whatever you do.
It IS as simple as furling the 150. The standard textbook answer is "Sail shape will not very good resulting in poor pointing ability. " which is true, but not to any major degree from my experience with a Catalina 30 tall rig. I have rolled my 150 to less than 100 in winds of 18 to 20K and still pointed well and also still exceeded hull speed. And, while the C30 may not be a race boat, it certainly is not... "Catalina 30 is a hog". I stand by my original statement...find out what other C30 owners in your area are using. Have fun in whatever you do.
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