We sail a hunter 35.5 and the genoa track on our boat are around 7 to 8 foot in length, maybe more. A friend of mine is looking to buy a 1996 Hunter 376. The genoa tracks on these boats are around 3 feet long and on the cabin top. Does this short track length and inboard position have an impact on the ability of the 376 to go to weather or the ability to adjust sails when going down wind with the sails wing and wing? At first sight, it seems that this short track would not offer as much adjustements and possibilities. Thanks in advance for your inputs
Genoa track length
- Thread starter Claude Labrecque
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I've had essentially both boats
The Hunter 35.5 had the beginnings of the B & R rig but also had a split backstay. The mast is further aft with a smaller main and boom. Mid boom sheeting as well. Because of the smaller main, you can put a genoa on the boat ranging from 135 to a 150 percent head sail. I suspect you could put an even larger sail but I doubt if it would make the boat go faster--I think 150 might be the most effective size. The 376 has a full B & R rig, the spreaders quite a bit aft and the mast is further forward on the boat. The main is very large and is the primary mover as oppose to the main on the 35.5. Putting a 150 percent genoa on the 376 would only make the boat go slower over all. The 376 (380 and 386) are primarily 3 sail boats--a big main, a jib and an asymetrical chute. The difference between the two boats was a design difference, hense, the different length for the jib block. Both boats should point equally well unless the 35.5 has the short, bulb winged keel in which case you need to fall off and foot for speed which the boat has in abundance. A 150 has a larger foot and needs more block adjustment thens a 100 or 110 jib I had a 35.5 and now have a 380. By the way I interviewed Steve Pettingill (race skipper for Hunter) and he first explained these differences to me.... I hope this helps. Les
The Hunter 35.5 had the beginnings of the B & R rig but also had a split backstay. The mast is further aft with a smaller main and boom. Mid boom sheeting as well. Because of the smaller main, you can put a genoa on the boat ranging from 135 to a 150 percent head sail. I suspect you could put an even larger sail but I doubt if it would make the boat go faster--I think 150 might be the most effective size. The 376 has a full B & R rig, the spreaders quite a bit aft and the mast is further forward on the boat. The main is very large and is the primary mover as oppose to the main on the 35.5. Putting a 150 percent genoa on the 376 would only make the boat go slower over all. The 376 (380 and 386) are primarily 3 sail boats--a big main, a jib and an asymetrical chute. The difference between the two boats was a design difference, hense, the different length for the jib block. Both boats should point equally well unless the 35.5 has the short, bulb winged keel in which case you need to fall off and foot for speed which the boat has in abundance. A 150 has a larger foot and needs more block adjustment thens a 100 or 110 jib I had a 35.5 and now have a 380. By the way I interviewed Steve Pettingill (race skipper for Hunter) and he first explained these differences to me.... I hope this helps. Les
Better than help!
Les this is better than help it is great! very clear and easy to understand. Thanks
Les this is better than help it is great! very clear and easy to understand. Thanks
The 35.5 and 376 are ...
...totally different boats with very different rigs. Les, I must disagree with you about the 35.5 rig. It is defiantly not a B&R. It is a standard fractional rig with slightly aft swept spreaders. The B&R on the 376 has dramatically swept spreaders and diagonals characteristic of the B&R and not found on the 35.5. The longer genoa tracks on the 35.5 are to accommodate the choice of a larger genoa size. The 376 has limited use of an overlapping genoa and therefore needs less track. I have added some additional track to my 35.5 on the coach roof just inside the chainplates to accommodate a blade #3. The lower sheeting angle of this track setup allows the #3 to point really high in big wind.
...totally different boats with very different rigs. Les, I must disagree with you about the 35.5 rig. It is defiantly not a B&R. It is a standard fractional rig with slightly aft swept spreaders. The B&R on the 376 has dramatically swept spreaders and diagonals characteristic of the B&R and not found on the 35.5. The longer genoa tracks on the 35.5 are to accommodate the choice of a larger genoa size. The 376 has limited use of an overlapping genoa and therefore needs less track. I have added some additional track to my 35.5 on the coach roof just inside the chainplates to accommodate a blade #3. The lower sheeting angle of this track setup allows the #3 to point really high in big wind.
376 jib track
I have a 1998 376 and have found the jib track to be a little short. I'm very far from an expert on sail trim, but my understanding is that the sheet should ideally attach to the jib clew at an angle so that if you drew an imaginary line it would hit the mid-point of the luff. On my boat, this imaginary line would always hit well above the mid-point - which leads me to the conclusion that the track should be further aft. Is my concept or execution incorrect?
I have a 1998 376 and have found the jib track to be a little short. I'm very far from an expert on sail trim, but my understanding is that the sheet should ideally attach to the jib clew at an angle so that if you drew an imaginary line it would hit the mid-point of the luff. On my boat, this imaginary line would always hit well above the mid-point - which leads me to the conclusion that the track should be further aft. Is my concept or execution incorrect?
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