C27-When to use what?

[Joel H.]

I'm a old Hobiecat sailor who just switched to a cruiser (1978 Catalina 27).

The PO installed a roller-furler with a 150% Genoa. The boat also came with a spinnaker but I don't plan on getting into that this year.

As it sits the boat has 3 sheet tracks on ether side: #1 is the standard track above the rub-rail along the back 2/3rds of the boat. #2 are shorter tracks running along side of the cabin under the windows. And #3 are even shorter tracks mounted on the foreword end of the cockpit "rails" (coaming?).

Now, I suspect that that the standard (#1) track is used the most and when the headsail is fully un-furled, and I,m guessing that the inboard (#2) track is used when the headsail is partialy furled in heavy weather, and I'm really guessing that the cockpit track (#3) is for use with the spinnaker, but I don't know for sure!
Can anyone kindly clue me in?
I'd appreciate it. And thanks in advance,
Joel H.

 

[valcour]

I suspect your boat was raced in the past not using roller furling sails. Does it have a double groove headfoil? On my 27' I had an inboard track up near the shrouds abt 2' long I used for the battened 95% "blade" in heavy air. The outboard tracks I used for the 155% genny and the 135% jib on the furler when cruising. I didn't have the cockpit coaming tracks you have, but all the hot boys up in Annapolis installed those to get better inboard lead on the 155% in light to moderate conditions. You should run your spinnaker sheets all the way aft, and use mid ship twings to adjust the guy.

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for the reply Valcour. I know your right, the people two owners ago raced without the furler, ( I have lots of headsails to confirm that). The PO installed the furler and just cruised. I think you hit all the "nails on the head". I'm going to skip the Spin. this year until I get some crew time on another boat to see how they're handled.
I look foreword to experimenting with the different tracks this season.
Thank you for the info.
Joel H.

 

[Don Guillette]

Joel H: The previous owner was probably a racer. The inside track is used for closehauled sailing and the outside track is used for all other points of sail.

 

[Joel H.]

Thanks for the reply Don. I'm looking foreword to experimenting with the two inside tracks. On that note, I'm considering putting the furler in storrage and going back to the hank=on sails. I want to learn things the right way before I go the lazy way. Besides, I have all these great headsails , I figure, why not learn to use them!

 

[donjambur]

BTW Don G is a sail trim expert. I have your laminated aids and they're great.