Need to replace my jib and found a sail that will fit but says it 2 genoas attached at the luff?? I've never heard of that before. could I use as just a jib?
Down wind Genoa
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,525
Not entirely sure about your challenge.
Jibs generally refer to a sail that is the size of your Foresail area between the forestay and the mast.
A Genoa fills that area and wraps around the outside of your mast stays to some percentage, such as a 115, a 135, or even a 155 Genoa. These larger sails are seen on masthead sloops.
Your O'Day Daysailer is a fractional rig. Your power comes from the enlarged Mainsail.
Some folks who sail in the Trades find they sail across oceans "DownWind". While many use spinnakers, these big sails can be difficult to manage. Skippers instead put up two jibs and drop their main. Think of it as hoisting two wings on the bow of your boat. You can further ensure they stay in place by using whisker poles to stretch them while you sail over the ocean swell.
Jibs generally refer to a sail that is the size of your Foresail area between the forestay and the mast.
A Genoa fills that area and wraps around the outside of your mast stays to some percentage, such as a 115, a 135, or even a 155 Genoa. These larger sails are seen on masthead sloops.
Your O'Day Daysailer is a fractional rig. Your power comes from the enlarged Mainsail.
Some folks who sail in the Trades find they sail across oceans "DownWind". While many use spinnakers, these big sails can be difficult to manage. Skippers instead put up two jibs and drop their main. Think of it as hoisting two wings on the bow of your boat. You can further ensure they stay in place by using whisker poles to stretch them while you sail over the ocean swell.
This is often done for long trade wind routes. You can use these as a jib, but they aren't as efficient.
Look up Twizzle rig - here's one web site:
Here's a current discussion on Cruisers and Sailors:
Twin running headsails self-steering - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
OK, who has done/ is doing this? I'd like some tips. I am experimenting with them and the initial trials are encouraging. In his book Letcher describes doing this and running for 1500 miles to Hawaii
www.cruisersforum.com
dj
For reaching or downwind, I would recommend an asymetric spinnaker. It is the optimum reaching foresail, and does well down to around 35 degrees off of dead downwind.
Below a beam reach, a Genoa totally loses its shape and efficiency.
Below a beam reach, a Genoa totally loses its shape and efficiency.
You should check out the videos and info in the link I put above on cruisers and sailors. For long distance cruising the double head sail provides greater flexibility and maintains quite good efficiency. Not for racers, but for cruising it's quite a good setup.
dj
First thought is why not just buy a sail that is right for your boat and how you are going to sail to begin with.
dj
Thoughts?..... Why? Small boat sails aren't that expensive. You can buy an OEM standard jib for your boat from thesailwarehouse.com for $288.
A genoa is not a downwind sail, it's a large upwind sail. If you want something to help you off the wind, look for a used asymmetrical spinnaker. I had a 22 ft boat that came with a "drifter". This sail had a wire luff and was flown free, not attached to the forestay. NO pole. Although too stretchy for upwind work, with its wire luff and light cloth it worked well for light air reaching. I left it rigged, on deck in a bag clipped to the mast or a stanchion... out of the way. Really easy to handle. You can drop the headsail on deck, leave it attached, or rolled up. and hoist on the spare halyard. Smaller than a regular or asym spinnaker.
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thought about new sail but this is $90. Not really concerned about downwind performance just a descent jib
If you buy it, give it a try the way it is for wing on wing before cutting off one of the sides. It might be fun if you have some long downwind legs and no spinnaker.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,525
If you want a decent jib then buy one. Either new (best foil shape) or used (sail cloth condition will define shape and if it is decent in performance helping you sail upwind).
The sail your describing was not designed to function as a jib, it was designed to function like a spinnaker as a sail but be easier to control on a down wind bearing. The sail shape is full and will limit the angle of attack you can achieve sailing up wind. This could be critical when trying to sail upwind wind off a lee shore.
It is your boat and your decision is what is based on your goals.
Maybe, but you are likely to need two whisker poles to wing them both out at the same time.
And would you want to sail with a spinnaker (or its poor, baggy $90 equivalent) upwind?
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,525
If the sail can be made into triangular pieces of sailcloth. If they fit the forward triangle and you can pull the clew back along the side of the boat, the answer is possibly. If they only reach the mast, you would call them a "Jib." If they reach beyond the mast, you could estimate the percentage and call them a XXX% Genoa.
Because of the originally designed purpose, they may be more balloon-like and stretched out than a sail specifically cut (designed) to be a genoa.
For $90, why not experiment and then share the results? We boat owners often spend money experimentally on our boats in an effort to create a better boating experience.
Because of the originally designed purpose, they may be more balloon-like and stretched out than a sail specifically cut (designed) to be a genoa.
For $90, why not experiment and then share the results? We boat owners often spend money experimentally on our boats in an effort to create a better boating experience.
WHAAAAT??We boat owners often spend money experimentally on our boats in an effort to create a better boating experience.
are you saying we spend money needlessly? say it isn't so.