The winds in the Chesapeake are next to non existent in July/Aug. My 270 came with a 110 jib and hardly moves in light winds. Anything over 10 knts requires reefing. Has anyone any experience with genoa sails on a 270? Thanks
Catalina 270 genoa sails
- Thread starter Toothrx
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I used to run a 155% on my 270, either 14'6" or 14'9" at the foot, memory fails. To improve downwind I'd rig a sheet to a block shackled to the aft cleat then to the jib winch and maybe a whisker pole.
I'd reef the main over 15 knots and maybe reduce the headsail a little going to windward. On the beam and downwind you can fly all the sail you have the nerve for.
I loved the boat but their weakness is downwind, even a big genny just doesn't seem enough.
I've gotten spoiled by the assy spinnaker with the current boat, I dislike having to go more tham a few miles downwind without it.
I also found that my 2 blade prop was faster than 270's with 3 blades, keep that 2 blade if you got one.
I'd reef the main over 15 knots and maybe reduce the headsail a little going to windward. On the beam and downwind you can fly all the sail you have the nerve for.
I loved the boat but their weakness is downwind, even a big genny just doesn't seem enough.
I've gotten spoiled by the assy spinnaker with the current boat, I dislike having to go more tham a few miles downwind without it.
I also found that my 2 blade prop was faster than 270's with 3 blades, keep that 2 blade if you got one.
Ted
Thanks. I don't move at all with the smaller jib in very light winds. My concern is going windward will a 155% overpower the boat in say 5-10 knt winds. By the way my boat is a 2001 with a 3 1/2 ft wing keel. I love the boat but need more power in the 0-10 knt winds range. Try to avoid downwind sailing since I seem to get nowhere really fast. She hardly moves at all. I guess if shes overpowered by the 155 I could furl it in some.
Thanks. I don't move at all with the smaller jib in very light winds. My concern is going windward will a 155% overpower the boat in say 5-10 knt winds. By the way my boat is a 2001 with a 3 1/2 ft wing keel. I love the boat but need more power in the 0-10 knt winds range. Try to avoid downwind sailing since I seem to get nowhere really fast. She hardly moves at all. I guess if shes overpowered by the 155 I could furl it in some.
Never sailed a 270 with a wing, so don't know it's effects but the fins can easily carry the 150 up to 15 knots or so. As you approach 20 knts when weather helm gets past about a quarter turn you start getting overpowered.
With 15+ knots on the beam you could break hull speed.
With 15+ knots on the beam you could break hull speed.
Sorta, the original cars (short with a fat roller, Harken maybe) work ok, usually have to haul them as far aft on the track as possible. This creates a rather acute angle to the cabin top winch when close hauled. Some of the later Garhauer cars with large sheaves won't lay down enough and the sheet gets "sheeved".
Some people have mounted tracks outboard and winches on coamings (also used for spinnaker with snatchblocks aft).
Also, for long downwind runs I'd rig a light sheet outside everything and run it to a snatch block at the rear cleat like a spinnaker sheet.
In a race I never planned on finishing ahead of anything other than the other 270's.
BTW my boat came from the factory with the 155, it was an option at the time.
Some people have mounted tracks outboard and winches on coamings (also used for spinnaker with snatchblocks aft).
Also, for long downwind runs I'd rig a light sheet outside everything and run it to a snatch block at the rear cleat like a spinnaker sheet.
In a race I never planned on finishing ahead of anything other than the other 270's.
BTW my boat came from the factory with the 155, it was an option at the time.
Like Weinie, I have always had a self furling 150 on my C-27...in Chesapeake as well as up in New England where I sail out of Bristol, RI. I have no experience on the newer C-270. Still the boats are comparable enough to suggest that a 150 might work. Wouldn't a direct call to the Catalina factory be appropriate to get their suggestion on how to proceed. There are times in the Chesapeake when I drove the family crazy sail well less than 3 knts on a hot almost windless day. Compromise was to use engine when it was obvious that winds would not increase to get over that 3 knt threshold. Good luck.
Bob
Bob
Toothrx: On a masthead rig the ENGINE is the jib (on a fractional rig it's the mainsail). A 110 jib is just a little bigger than a storm jib. A 155 is a lot of sail to handle. My first jib on my C30 was a 155 and it was too much for me to comfortable handle single handed so I sold it and switched to a 135 high cut. After the first sail I didn't like that sail either and sold it. I replaced it with a 135 almost deck sweeper but it was cut so the foot was just above the safety lines. I really like that sail even though I had no choice as my wife said no more sail purchases!! That was OK with me as it's a great sail.
In my opinion a 135 is a good compromise on a cruising boat.
In very light to light winds you want whatever sails you have to be as flat as possible because the wind doesn't have the power to get around the sail and they stall.
In my opinion a 135 is a good compromise on a cruising boat.
In very light to light winds you want whatever sails you have to be as flat as possible because the wind doesn't have the power to get around the sail and they stall.
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