Adding Roach to a Mainsail

[John]

I'm getting ready to purchase a new mainsail and I would like to hear what you think about adding extra roach to it? The boat is a 1990 Catalina 28 and I don’t mind if the roach hits the backstay a little. I single hand a lot and I’d like to keep to a 135 genoa instead of a 150. Winds can be light here in southern California so the extra roach on the mainsail could help me out. Also, would this extra roach change the balance of the boat very much, like adding more weather helm in a blow? Thanks, JOHNPS: I'm not talking about a lot of roach like on a new Hunter mainsail, just a few more feet in the right areas.

 

[Steve O.]

A little?

The roach will hit the backstay every time you tack, and will cause chafe and premature wear, or it will foul. I'm not a sailmaker, but I wouldn't advise it. If you have roller furling,it shouldn't be a big deal to shorten the headsail. Perhaps a furling boom would be a better investment.

 

[Tim11435]

More roach.

Hi John,When we build Cruising mains, it is standard for us to build as much roach as possible, without hitting the backstay. Racing mains will almost always overlap the backstay.Steves comment on chafe and the possibilty of the sail not tacking though are true. For racers this is trade off for increased performance. Most cruisers opt for no overlap.Have your sailmaker take measurements to get you the most roach without overlap.But this is up to you, we have alot of cruisers that don't mind the sail banging the back stay.A new sail maxed out will give you improved performance over the old sail you are replacing.Good Luck.