1990 35.5 Genoa size

[shawanaga]

I just purchased a new head sail from North and it is a 145% they recommended this but I have heard that this may be too large for this fractional rig and may be over powered
Any info would be great
Thanks

 

[Terry Cox]

Generally, fractional rigs obtain most of their driving force from a larger main with a smaller 110 jib headsail. Whether your boat is over powered due to the larger genoa depends on where you sail and wind conditions encountered. Typically a jib is 110 or less, and a genoa larger than 110. From the photo gallery it looks as though the 35.5 came with a 110 jib as standard. Our H28 fractional rig also came standard with a 110 jib.

You can keep your new genoa if you have the ability to reef it. It should work great in lighter air, but become a handful in heavier air without the ability to reef.

 

[shemandr]

I would have reservations about putting a 145% on it. I know of one, B&R Hunter which have increased the size of the jib successfully. But that was someone who was pretty serious about racing. Are you?
This subject has been discussed here and there have been posts which make a good case for the 110% for upwind work. With my H356 and the 110% jib we hardly needed to use the winch to tack. I wouldn't have wanted a bigger jib to drag in and the Mrs. definitely didn't. And, I wouldn't want to sail around with a brand new crispy jib rolled up. Have a frank talk with the sailmaker. Maybe you and he have miscommunicated.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Andrew's right.

Here's why:

A very illuminating and interesting discussion on co.com for those of you who might be in the market for a new jib.

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=155362

Please read all three pages. Enjoy.

 

[shawanaga]

Thanks for your help. It was North Sails that suggested this size. I have owned a 27 Aloha for 20 years and I did have a 155 on it and won almost everything in my phrf it also was a fractional rig. But obviously this boat is a lot different and I was hoping they really knew their stuff, if anyone has any absolute results racing using different sized jibs I would be really interested I still have a chance to get it changed
Thanks Floyd

 

[silverbeard]

It looks like the 1990 35.5 was rigged with a 130 genoa.

 

[Karl13265]

Shawanaga, I ran our 1992-35.5 Legend with a 110, a 135 and a 150% with no issues. The boat balanced well with the 150% and a full batten loose foot main. She never felt overpowered at least not in my humble opinion. We had the boat for five years with no issues and take it from me we can get some strong winds along the New Brunswick/Maine coast in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine.

 

[shawanaga]

Hi Karl thanks I think I'll keep the 145 as is. One thing is the car is really close to the clew? I was worried about car adjustment Did you have any issue with that?

 

[MetricMountie]

No, never experienced and issue with the cars. We still had plenty of room to move them back even further if I had felt the need to do so. As I say she balanced well and went like hell on a reach.