Downwind and light air sails

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HOW Editorial

Have you augmented your sail inventory with downwind and light air sails? Why did you choose the sails you have? Ease of use? Local conditions? A great deal? Are you satisfied with your choices, or are there still more sails you'd like to add... and maybe one you'd like to get rid of? Hoist your opinions here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
 
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Dick Vance

Full Speed Down

When I bought Honey Bear, my 25.5, 10 years ago, she came with main and 110 jib. I have since added many sails for the varying conditions on our lakes and for racing: Here's the stuff for off the wind: 1) 170 3/4 oz nylon genoa - This sail really boosted downwind performance in light air downwind and reaching....when winds are real flukey, big genoa is easier to handle shorthanded than spinnaker. Sailmaker club mate made it for me from Sail Rite kit. Its getting a bit out of shape and I could use a new one. 2) 1-1/2 oz JSI cruising spinnaker - this is a good sail for single or shorthanded downwind sailing but not necessarily for racing on our lakes. Wish I'd gotten a 3/4 oz. 3) 1/2 oz crosscut spinnaker - this was my first spinnaker, an oldy but goody. It is great for downwind in light air and still quite usable for running or broad reaching. 4) 3/4 oz North triradial spinnaker - this is the one that makes the boat go fast racing!! I also bought it used but its got lots of life left. Our club could be characterized as having seriously casual club racing. Perfect or very high $$$ price sails would be nice but definitely not worth spending the big bucks for a trophy among friends. Dick
 
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John Allison

5 Sails In My Locker

My Hunter 25 footer came with several sails, a 155 #1 Genoa, a 130 Genoa, and 2 Mains (one partial batten and one full batten). Since that time I have added a cruising spinnaker. I do not plan on adding any others (unless perhaps a storm jib); just maintaining what I have got. Most of my sailing is single hand and I feel that a spinnaker would be well beyond my safe capabilities. If the wind kicks up even the cruising spinnaker can be a handful. However, on those calmer days, it is fun to sail and a joy to behold. This is all I need, want and can safely handle.
 
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John Lemke

Asymetrical

My 336 came with a full batten main and a 110 jib. I've since added a 3/4 oz triradial asymetrical with an ATN sock. The spinaker is cut rather flat and has been a real plus, allowing me to carry it in light air as far as 55 degrees relative wind. The only sail I'm thinking about adding is a 130 jib, also for light air. John
 
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John Rollins

North Sails Gennaker

Will most likely get a 0.7 oz. North Sails Gennaker with a Snuffer Plus. I was given a demo of this system on a Jenneau 37 and was quite impressed with the ease of use. JR
 
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farnsworth john

pineapple

Hey John (Rollins), before you commit to that North Genniker, check out Pineapple Sails over in Oakland. They built me a 3/4 oz. 165% tri-radial asymetrical spinnaker that I am absolutely thrilled with. The sail bag is built into the sock, which is a slick arrangement. In light winds with the tack down hard I have been able to carry it as far forward as 60 degrees. You may pay a few more bucks for the Pineapple, but you'll get a sail custom tailored for your needs. Talk to Kame Richards. www.sailmaker.com
 
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Don H.

Added asymmetrical to my 37.5 for downwind sailing

The tall aspect ratio and fractional rig caused my Legend 37.5 go "dead in the water" on downwind sailing. That was corrected by adding an asymmetrical spinnaker from Cruise Direct sails, plus the ATN spinnaker sleeve to make it manageable. At 890 square feet of sail area, it really improves the downwind performance, down to about 155 degrees. I don't try to use it dead down wind. It's not designed for that. It starts to slow the boat down when I try to sail it higher than 60 degrees. There used to be a photo in the photo forum, but when they changed servers, I think they corrupted the .jpg file. If anyone is interested, I can e-mail it to you.
 
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Stevec

None .....charge batteries with engine

When the winds in my region are light, it doesn't pay to drift all day, so the engine goes on.
 
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Ron

Sails and Sails

Our H37C came with a 150% Genoa and an asymetrical spinnaker. We keep the yankee packed away for the rare occasion, what ever that may be. The spinnaker is a really fun sail up to about 12 knots. Then we roll out the 150. When the wind gets to be too much we furled the 150 a little at a time. When it's furled most of the way we wind it up and break out the staysail...Ron
 
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HOW Editorial

Final results

Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 7/17/2000: Do you carry downwind or light air sails? 31% 150% genoa (60) 21% Gennaker (41) 17% More than one (34) 13% Spinnaker (26)
 
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