genoa size for H25.5

[Jeff Johnston]

I am ready to buy new sails for my 1984 H25.5. The old gonoa bag says 155 but with an LP that I measured as approx 14'5" I think it is closer to a 135. We have many low to moderate winds here in the midwest all summer with some very windy days in the spring and fall. I will most likely not have multiple sails. A 150 sounds nice for the very light days but I think a 135 would allow me to have a better sail for windy days. what size? I need to stazy in a budget but want want good sails for mainly crusing and a little club racing. Any suggeations. My local boat store says to look at Pro/form at sailwarehouse. What about full battens?Jeff

 

[Brad Odland]

What Sails

I use pretty much my 150. It has a foam luff and roller furling. I furl to about a 120 or so in winds over 12 knots and put a reel in the full batten main. When it is gusty and blowing in the high teens and twenties I ussually put in two reefs in the main a leave just a patch out on the genoa. SOunds rather dramatic but the boat still sails close to hull speed and remains balanced. Yes to full battens on the main and I would do two reefs ponts as well. The 25.5 gets over powered quickley and you spend more time playing the main and traveler to keep the boat off its ear than sailing fast. I have a working jib but rarely take the time to use it.When you reef and furl in some combination the boat points well and sails fast and is less tender in puffs. The 25.5 like to be balanced. I've been kicking a** get a cruising spinnaker with a dousing sock. I throw that up for close reaching and off wind and she really likes it.I have found main or head sail alone she just doesn't do as well as with reefing the main and furling in the jenny. The 150 also likes to be furled slightly when running. My 150 is just off the deck and (racing cut) I can tuck it in tight inside the lifelines and it gets nice and flat. Lately I've been doing 6+ knots in 10 knots wind close hauled.....that's pretty damn good. Visibility is poor though with my genoa....get a window put in if you do a deck sweeper.My rule of thumb is 10-15 knots one reef in the main a few turns on the furler, 12-plus two reefs and a few more turns. I put the reefs in in before I go out so I don't have to mess it. Its easier to shake a reef out than put one in.Good luck in your purchase....look those North Roto Molded sails....way cool.

 

[Peter Murphy]

Buying my own Hunter 25.5

Hi Jeff.I'm about to buy an '84 Hunter 25.5 and was curious what you have to say about your boat, it's positive and negative points and what I should be aware of. This will be my first sailboat and I have an intermediate level of sailing experience crewing on other boats. Two sails come with this boat, a main and jib, both of which are well worn and will most likely be replaced next season. The hull needs to be scraped, reworked and painted and the decking has a weathered look to it (faded). The cabin is in immacculate shape. Looking forward to your comments.Cheers from the east coast of Canada.Peter Murphy