135% or 155% genoa

[Technodad]

I am shortly going to order a new furling genoa and Furlex roller furler for my 81 O'Day 23.
Problem is I am uncertain about the size of sail I should get.
I am thinking 135% and 155%.
135 good for heavier air but slower and the 155 better for lighter air but faster.

Can anyone help me decide on this, anyone with experience on both?

It seems I go out a lot in light airs on lake Ontario but I also like to venture into heavier stuff with the rail buried.

Thanks
John

 

[Mormandeus]

One thing to consider is that a 155 will wrap a lot more around a furler. If you are not in an area where the wind is usually light then you will be furling sooner and furled more often. This will affect your overall performance on days you could have a rockin sail. Had this dilemma when I got mine last year and decided that light wind performance was the more readily sacrificed...ain't going to go fast anyway.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tom J]

Another thing to consider is the size of the main sail. My 1971 O'Day 23 had a small main sail, and the 150% genoa, typical for the time. She did not sail well with just the main sail up, and really needed that 150% jib at times.

 

[ruidh]

Wow. Very different experiences. I replaced the 150% genoa with a 135% on my '71 O23. She sails just fine main only in high winds. The 150% was just too much sail for most of the time and furlers don't work as well as advertised.

 

[Technodad]

Thank you all very much for your comments on the different size genoas.

I think I will go with a 135% as I will probably use it wide open more of the time as was mentioned by Mormandeus, I also have a big MPG sail I can raise when it is light wind.
Tom, I think my main is quite small also, it is bagged out a bit too! I may have to replace it sometime later after I swallow the cost of the genny and furler.
Ruidh, all good points, I would prefer to sail full out than reefed. Thanks

I am thinking of going with the Furlex 55-10 unit, this is a real nice furler and comes with a new forestay, I am picking the 55-10 because it has a 3/16" size wire, an upsize to the stock 5/32".
Prices for these furlers are good too.

Thanks
John

 

[Tom J]

My old main was bagged out quite a bit, also. Probably the original that came with the boat. That would explain why it didn't sail well on the main alone. A mainsail in good condition and a 135% genoa sounds like a good combination. Happy sailing!