Foresail
- Thread starter paulj
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We switched to a 120 from the 135 that we got with the boat. Since we usually sail in 15 - 25 knot winds it's far easier to handle & we haven't noticed much difference in speed.
Re: 135
Had a 135 when I bought the boat in Charleston. I got a 155 almost immediately because of typically light air on Chesapeake bay, and the boat's poor performance (wing keel) compared to my previous Catalina 27. I use the 155 90% of the time but carry the smaller sail on long cruises in case foretasted winds are over 15 Kts for several days.
Had a 135 when I bought the boat in Charleston. I got a 155 almost immediately because of typically light air on Chesapeake bay, and the boat's poor performance (wing keel) compared to my previous Catalina 27. I use the 155 90% of the time but carry the smaller sail on long cruises in case foretasted winds are over 15 Kts for several days.
We have a 150 that we reef down when we are over powered - typically reef the main at about 18 apparent and then the genoa if we are still fighting it and then a 2nd in the main. We try to sail her standing up - faster and more comfortable. Sometimes sail with just the big 150 - fun 5 - 6 kts without the work.
Good quote
From one of the best (perhaps the best) sailor on the Potomac River in his after action description of our Frostbite Regatta last year (driving rain and 15-25knots of wind):
"Our choice for our #1 (155%) was driven by the conditions. In order to
carry that sail, we luffed the forward 60% of the mainsail the entire
time, often all the way. Our main trim dictates speed upwind, mainly
through control of heel angle and rudder drag. My wheel is marked with
tape bands that the main trimmer uses to play the traveller-ie;once he
sees the helm approaching 20-30 degrees of rudder angle (weather helm),
he will automatically drop the traveler down until I can get the rudder
centered again. This adds well over a knot and a half to our upwind
speed, as dragging the rudder sideways through thick water is much
slower than luffing a sail through thin air. We try to keep the boat's
heel angle below 19 degrees; anything more and we reef the main and get
out a smaller headsail. It feels slower, but the math doesn't lie.
As for down wind, that's all about projected area, so a 155 is probably
the way to go. Once we get the chute up and stable, we also ease the
outhaul and main halyard, the backstay, as well as the boom vang a
touch. (the trick is to remember to put it all back before you round to
go upwind) We also rig a preventer on the boom to stop accidental jibes,
if we are close to dead down wind."
I strongly suggest marking your rudder angle and trimming the main to
it. It feels strange at first, but has really proven a winner for us.
From one of the best (perhaps the best) sailor on the Potomac River in his after action description of our Frostbite Regatta last year (driving rain and 15-25knots of wind):
"Our choice for our #1 (155%) was driven by the conditions. In order to
carry that sail, we luffed the forward 60% of the mainsail the entire
time, often all the way. Our main trim dictates speed upwind, mainly
through control of heel angle and rudder drag. My wheel is marked with
tape bands that the main trimmer uses to play the traveller-ie;once he
sees the helm approaching 20-30 degrees of rudder angle (weather helm),
he will automatically drop the traveler down until I can get the rudder
centered again. This adds well over a knot and a half to our upwind
speed, as dragging the rudder sideways through thick water is much
slower than luffing a sail through thin air. We try to keep the boat's
heel angle below 19 degrees; anything more and we reef the main and get
out a smaller headsail. It feels slower, but the math doesn't lie.
As for down wind, that's all about projected area, so a 155 is probably
the way to go. Once we get the chute up and stable, we also ease the
outhaul and main halyard, the backstay, as well as the boom vang a
touch. (the trick is to remember to put it all back before you round to
go upwind) We also rig a preventer on the boom to stop accidental jibes,
if we are close to dead down wind."
I strongly suggest marking your rudder angle and trimming the main to
it. It feels strange at first, but has really proven a winner for us.
The PO told me it's a no 2. Haven't gotten around to actully measure it. Looks at between 120 - 130.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
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