Downwind Sail for 29.5

[Russel Garecht]

Looking for input on a good downwind sail for a 29.5. Why do you think your suggestion is a good one?Thanks RussHer Diamond Ring

 

[Joe Aquilna]

Sea trials

I have been toying with the same idea for some time.The man at the local sail loft has advised me to fit a Neill Pryde 160% Gennaker made from 1.5 oz nylon fabric ( heavy spinnaker material) on a free hoisted self-furling wire to be flown off the halyard point and mounted on the bow roller further forward of the existing furler.He claims it would considerably improve my downwind performance, which I have always thought was rather tame, and also be useful upwind in the very light summer mediterranean airs around this place.I am now waiting for the sail to arrive, and then I will know how wise the purchase has been after sea trials.I have asked the same question you have asked in the past. Apparently at the end of the 29.5 production run some dealers fitted 150% Genoas as standard. There are some very interesting photos in the photo forum on this site of how this is fitted onto one owner's boat.Happy sailing,JoeSY MaverickMalta

 

[Alex]

This and yhat..

I have installed on my 95' 29.5 a bow retractable pole kit, then optional from Hunter, for an asymetrical spinaker , bought separately , from 1.25 cloth , on sock.this way I widen the gap between the main( which is very big and relatively close to bow.)and the geneker for better efficiency on broad reaching, and on some point of sail I can actually have all 3 sails up.The kit is strong and fine , I heard there were very few 29.5 who took this option, and eventually Hunter discontinued that on later boats.I am not shure how much this pole configuration add to speed (compared to no pole geneker), I estimate on best condition .2-.3 knots.(without the regular headsail too).For real downwind 170-180 degrees to wind , the B&R rig is not adequent at all, unless you don't use the main (except in real light winds) and use a head sail-or even the asymetrical spinaker- with a light pole rigged to wind from the mast.