Genoa question

[Light air]

My Catalina C22 came with 2 150 genoas. The seller said that the blue and white striped one was called a "Drifter". I have no idea what that is. Can someone enlighten me? (My avatar is my boat sailing with the drifter).

 

[rgranger]

A drifter is a genoa made from lighter than typical materials. It is used when the wind is very light. A drifter can stay open and catch air when a genoa would collapse from its own weight. You won't go fast but "drifting" along at 2-3kts is better than bobbing.

 

[capta]

rgranger has it right. I had at least 3 of different weights on my first boat. The sail maker (Peter Sutter) told me that one was for 6 knots of wind or less.
As anyone who sails the Bay suspects, there are the occasional days when the wind is very light. No kidding. So sailing around the north side of Angel Island all was perfect but when we stuck her bow out into the east bay, the wind increased above six knots (maybe 6.5 or possibly 7) and that drifter tore in half as if it had a zipper.
I would advise that one use much lighter sheets with a drifter to take full advantage of the sail.

 

[justsomeguy]

Capta's right about rgranger being right.

 

[Sola Gratia]

good on ya for getting the drifter out rather than firing up the iron jenny!

 

[Joe]

Light air sheets are a great suggestion for the drifter or any free flying sail you might use for those conditions. I have a set I made up for those calm san diego days out of 1/4" samson ls and a pair of plastic clips (the good ones). Of course once the breeze comes up you'll have the regular sheets already laid out for tying on to the heavier sail.

 

[nightowle]

Had a drifter with my 27' footer and used it a lot. Particularly downwind. Performed as well as an asymmetrical spinnaker It held up to decent wind speeds, made by Lee Sails.

 

[jssailem]

With all light weight sails, keeping them in good working condition takes:

1. Knowing their limits
2. Regularly inspecting the sail stitching and attachment points
3. Using sheets matched to the sails weight/use
4. Knowing how to release the sail and getting it on the boat in control when/before the wind blast hits you.
5. Being prepared with good weather info, knowing what to expect on your route, (like rounding a point into a wind tunnel between islands).