Don, Your posting on the various genoa sizes you've used on your boat got me thinking about mine. The 155 genoa on my tall rig is a bit much unless the true wind speed is less than about 13 knots. The local sailmaker, who owned a Catalina 30, tried to talk me into a 135, but another major sailmaker reminded me that the average wind speed on Lake Michigan is about 8 knots (but with tremendous variability and range). So, I bought the 155, but still think about a 135. Sounds like you've been there. If I remember, correctly, your C30 is a standard rig, right? Logic is beginning to tell me that a 135 might make the best sense for a tall rig C30.
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135
Bob: I think the 135 low cut (not a deck sweeper) is a great all around sail for a cruiser. My problem with the 155 was that for me personally it was just too much work for single handing. Additionally, I have gone head to head with a C30 (standard rig like mine) friend of mine who has a 155 and he has yet to beat me. He is a middle to back of the pack racer. I know my sail trim is better than his and that is the difference - for now. When he gets better with his sail trim I might have a problem. He may get me but it won't be by a lot. I Think a 135 on a tall rig is probably like a 140 on a standard. I'm not a sail maker expert and just pull that out of my rear end but it sounds logical. In other words, I think going head to head you'd edge me out. The 135 I have just cleared the safety lines so I did not have to deal with skirting.
Bob: I think the 135 low cut (not a deck sweeper) is a great all around sail for a cruiser. My problem with the 155 was that for me personally it was just too much work for single handing. Additionally, I have gone head to head with a C30 (standard rig like mine) friend of mine who has a 155 and he has yet to beat me. He is a middle to back of the pack racer. I know my sail trim is better than his and that is the difference - for now. When he gets better with his sail trim I might have a problem. He may get me but it won't be by a lot. I Think a 135 on a tall rig is probably like a 140 on a standard. I'm not a sail maker expert and just pull that out of my rear end but it sounds logical. In other words, I think going head to head you'd edge me out. The 135 I have just cleared the safety lines so I did not have to deal with skirting.
Definite advantages
Don, Your head-to-head comparison with your friend who has a 155 is interesting, even though you also cite differences in sail-trimming ability. The sailmaker who tried to talk me into a 135 regularly raced on Lake Michigan (my location) using a 135, and did quite well. In fact, he won a National Championship using that sail. He used a short pennant at the tack to raise the sail off the deck a bit. I do a lot of singlehanding myself, and the 155 definitely is a lot of work. Just the skirting issue itself is annoying. And in anything other than light winds, cranking the sail in takes a great deal of effort (Lewmar 40ST winches). I do have roller furling, so I can at least roll the sail up a bit when desired. With the foam luff, shape still is reasonably good.
Don, Your head-to-head comparison with your friend who has a 155 is interesting, even though you also cite differences in sail-trimming ability. The sailmaker who tried to talk me into a 135 regularly raced on Lake Michigan (my location) using a 135, and did quite well. In fact, he won a National Championship using that sail. He used a short pennant at the tack to raise the sail off the deck a bit. I do a lot of singlehanding myself, and the 155 definitely is a lot of work. Just the skirting issue itself is annoying. And in anything other than light winds, cranking the sail in takes a great deal of effort (Lewmar 40ST winches). I do have roller furling, so I can at least roll the sail up a bit when desired. With the foam luff, shape still is reasonably good.
Overlap
Notwithstanding the fractionally-rigged racers who run 155's on things like Santana 35's, my sailmaker recommended nothing more than a 135 for my fractionally-rigged 40.5. He said there is little additional drive offered and that you give up much of that with trim issues. I did go to a near deck-sweeper (clew about 18" up) which gives some real drive when close hauled at the expense of visibility and the need to skirt the jib sometimes. I did have a 150 made for my masthead O'Day 27 which made a big difference in light air but was a handfull once it piped up. Having said that, in both cases I'm comparing old factory sails with new custom loft sails, so it's hardly a fair comparison. RD
Notwithstanding the fractionally-rigged racers who run 155's on things like Santana 35's, my sailmaker recommended nothing more than a 135 for my fractionally-rigged 40.5. He said there is little additional drive offered and that you give up much of that with trim issues. I did go to a near deck-sweeper (clew about 18" up) which gives some real drive when close hauled at the expense of visibility and the need to skirt the jib sometimes. I did have a 150 made for my masthead O'Day 27 which made a big difference in light air but was a handfull once it piped up. Having said that, in both cases I'm comparing old factory sails with new custom loft sails, so it's hardly a fair comparison. RD
Why not Both?
On our 1986 masthead B&R rigged Hunter 28.5 we regularly use the 135% or the 155% either with the Admiral as crew or when singlehanding. Since neither is on a furler it is prudent to be aware of changing conditions, but its never really been a problem to drop either headsail to the deck, head to wind with the wheel brake locked. I don't feel undergunned with a 135 when the wind is in the teens but I wouldn't hesitate to change down from the 155 to the 135 or just reef the main if I were ovwerpowered on an upwind leg of a race. Day sailing or cruising, I'd just change direction to a more comfortable point of sail. Conditions on the Chesapeake are somewhat predictable and light air can be the dominant sumertime condition often enough that I wouldn't want to be limited to a 135 and end up motoring all the time.
On our 1986 masthead B&R rigged Hunter 28.5 we regularly use the 135% or the 155% either with the Admiral as crew or when singlehanding. Since neither is on a furler it is prudent to be aware of changing conditions, but its never really been a problem to drop either headsail to the deck, head to wind with the wheel brake locked. I don't feel undergunned with a 135 when the wind is in the teens but I wouldn't hesitate to change down from the 155 to the 135 or just reef the main if I were ovwerpowered on an upwind leg of a race. Day sailing or cruising, I'd just change direction to a more comfortable point of sail. Conditions on the Chesapeake are somewhat predictable and light air can be the dominant sumertime condition often enough that I wouldn't want to be limited to a 135 and end up motoring all the time.
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