Bigger headsail???

[Steve]

I race my H376 non-spinnaker with a 105% furling headsail. According to Hunter, this is the largest headsail I can use because the shouds go all the way to the rubrail. I've also heard that the boat can indeed accomodate a larger headsail. Which is correct?I generally get blown away by similar sized boats with bigger head sails and without roller furling. Would a larger furling headsail be worth the extra cost (I am a cruiser at heart and don't want to be putting up sails all the time)? How would you rig the boat to take a bigger headsail?

 

[Jay Hill]

Love to see that

I'm looking forward to Bill's response to see HOW this can be done. To run a lot bigger with B&R wouldn't you have to sail the jib outside the shrouds? This could be done by mounting a track on top of the fiberglass version of a toerail from just aft of the chainplate to as far as you wanted provided you put the proper bend in it. The same track could be used for spinnaker block. Not sure if the "toerail" is wide enough on the top surface to mount a track or if it's strong enough; you'd probably want a backing strip, but HOW would you get it in there?Another problem is the lifelines. You'd have to cross the forward section of the lines (between bow pulpit and first stanchion) to provide a "V" for the sail to "fit" through. This, however, reduces the effectiveness of the lifelines on the foredeck. OR, cut a sail to fly above the lifelines.Any comments?

 

[Justin Wolfe]

Is it really the sail.

I could very well be wrong, but I'm not convinced the problem is the size of your headsail. How do you do when it is breezy?The reason I say this is that the 376 carries its extra sail area in the mainsail. You've got the equivalent sail area of similar sized boats flying a 150% already. It could be that these boats are simply faster, or sailed better. If you are racing PHRF you should get a rating advantage for having the smaller headsail.In any case if you aren't doing significantly better when it is windy I really doubt the problem is sail area. If you are competitive in the breeze, then you might be right, but I can't imagine how you can improve the situation much. Maximizing the foretriangle area is the best I can suggest. Get a jib that is cut as low to the deck as your track & roller furling drum will allow. Push the leech of the jib back until it is just short of the shrouds. Bring the clew of jib aft even further, through the shrouds. A hollow leech will allow you do this even more. I'd be surprised if your current jib goes aft as far as it can.Also, for a real performance boost get a fully battened Kevlar main. I saw one on a 376 and it was the coolest looking Hunter I've ever seen. Suddenly the boat went from cruiser to very cool racer.

 

[Steve]

Response

I am improving tactics as I continue to race, but I still have much more to learn. NonethelessI've had racing fanatics on board on several occasions and we still get blown away almost every race. In heavy winds, we still don't point as well despite the fact that we have a deep keel (perhaps due to the furling sail). The Lake Michigan PHRP also gives the 376 a lousy rating (108 base/120 non spinnaker) which doesn't help. I'm working with them to try to improve the rating. Justin's point about the sail being high off the deck is a good one. I wonder if the high cut of the sail and the fact that it's a furling sail is a big factor in why I get beat by the Ericson 37's and similar sized boats. Can anything be done to the existing sail to bring it lower to the deck? The sail has only been used one season.

 

[Mark Dixon - UK sailmakers]

headsails

Any time your rig has the chainplates out on the toe rail, you are limited tothe size of your overlap. The best 2 ideas I have on your head sail are; 1)Don't try to go to the toerail (you loose pointing ability) 2) if you used a 105%full hoist sail, you'd gain on the square footage, the slot height, and the end plate effect. If you're pushing a fixed blade prop. consider replacing it with a folder. A fixed 2 blade prop. will cost you upwards of 30 sec./mi. in light to moderate air. As a PHRF Chief Handicapper, I can provide more info. if you wish. Mark