Has anyone upgraded from std jib to genoa?

[CalebD]

I like the current sail configuration of the MacG 26S with the slightly diminutive jib but I wonder if anyone has upgraded to a genoa (eg larger jib) for lighter airs? I also wonder about the weather helm of the boat with the larger genoa.Has anyone out there played with the sail plan?Thanks in advance.

 

[ClownPilot]

I use both ....

I have a hanked-on 150 Genoa that I have been using up until today. My son and I have converted over to CDI Roller Furler with a 135 Head sail. What a job that was (in the hot Florida sun)!Anyway, I used the 150 extensively over the last few years since buying the boat. Found it to be responsive to light winds and the lift could be felt at about 3-5 kts wind. Didn't feel weather helm on this sheet until wind speed reached above 15 kts. I preferred to use a working jib sheet for winds higher than that. 150 Genoa's aren't to handy on gusty wind days where one moment the wind is 10kts and then the next it is 30 kts. I have had a few blow-downs and know what my heart tastes like! So, be cautious of that. Otherwise, a Genoa sheet is a beautiful thing!Tom

 

[John S]

Deck Hardware

If you fly a bigger genoa, chances are the bull's eyes on the deck will no longer be usable, either due to the length of the sail or the difference in sheeting angle. Many have installed tracks on the cabin top or along the cockpit gunwales. Having a track allows yet another adjustment to fine tune your rig. I have been experimenting with a masthead spinnaker for light airs and a 130 genoa for general use. I still wish I had a 100 working jib when the wind is really blowing and I don't have any rail meat to counteract the heel.I am not sure which way to rake the mast to deal with weather helm. I went with an aftermarket rudder and daggerboard that pretty much eliminates the weather helm's effect on my boat. My mast rake is 6 inches aft (mine is a D model) as recommended by the local Macgregor gurus. As reminded to me by others, the weather helm is still there but I can effectively balance it out.Just one more thing, you will possibly need a different length of sheets, and wherever you tie or cleat off a larger genoa sheet had better be a strong place with good sized backing plates underneath. I have a lot of gel coat cracking anyway around every single deck mounted appliance. John S Boise

 

[Jim Mac]

Genoa for 26D

I have the 150 Genoa with CDI furler and Idasailor rudder. I have had no significant problems with weather helm in winds of 25 kts and above. The good thing about the furler is the ability to reduce sail area very quickly when the wind conditions change. I have 30 inch tracks on the gunwales at the rear of the cabin and winches a little further aft on the cockpit gunwales. These tracks are very useful for optimum sail trim.Tom, I was confused by your response. I assume when you used the word "sheet" that you were referring to the sail not to the line controlling the sail which we usually call the sheet. If not, I'm still confused which would not be the first time!Jim

 

[ClownPilot]

Oh yes, I believe I did!

Jim, you are absolutely correct. The sheet is the line or rope connection to the sail. And I used the terms incorrectly in content when I really meant sail.Thanks for picking that up for me to clearify.Tom