Headsail 2010 Beneteau 37

Captn TJ · Jul 3, 2014

I assume you have a fractional rig with a classic main and fairly new sails? If so you may want to reconsider a 155 as it may not add the incremental speed you're looking for. I'd start with the polars and see if you're sailing to those numbers. The next most effective change might be to a feathering prop if you don't have one. Then I'd talk to a sailmaker for additional ideas - since adding a whole bunch of area to the headsail may interfere with the slot. If they're OEM sails even relatively new you would get more horsepower with upgraded sails - a good sailmaker on your boat could give you that quick diagnosis.

DougM · Jul 4, 2014

The outboard shrouds are a problem because you cannot get the bigger headsail sheeted in as tightly as you would want it.
Extending the length of the jib tracks would not be easy either.
I agree that having a good sailmaker take a look at the way your present sails are cut is a good idea. The OEM sails are never absolutely perfect. Just working on rig tension could be advantageous.
A folding/feathering prop would add a half knot or so, but would affect your rating somewhat.
If you have a furling main, and not a classic, you are also giving up some sail area and shape.

gleason99 · Jul 4, 2014

My experience has been the opposite, we normally sail faster than Catalina 42's. If you are going to race empty the water tanks, that's about 900 lbs you are hauling around the race course! Get a folding prop, no matter what the rating penalty is you will be sailing much faster in light airs. Make sure the bottom is cleaned. Get a lighter race sail for Friday nights, the stock 7 oz. Sail with UV cover is way to heavy for Light air racing.

Jackdaw · Jul 5, 2014

Four things.

You cannot use a bigger headsail with the outboard shrouds. Period. Sheeting around them would be a disaster.

Get a folding prop. There is no penalty; you will lose the 3-6 second credit, but is well understood that you loose 30+ seconds a mile in light airs with a fixed prop.

If you distance race (not W/L buoys), look into a code O furling sail on a small prod or sprit. THAT will make a huge difference on reaching legs.

The non overlapper is death in Jib-and-Main non-spinnaker races when you have to sail deep. Don't try that.

CCHer · Jul 7, 2014

My experience is more like Gleason's. The one sail control I added is adjustable genoa leads; Garhauer made them up for me (I had to change out the tracks or go with the Harken system for twice the money). It allows trimming the genoa much more precisely while under load. A gennaker for light air helps a lot. Also have a folding prop. I love the short footed headsail compared to my old boats' big overlapping genoas. Beneteau got the sail plan for this boat right IMHO.

bob_pattison · Jul 7, 2014

Larger headsail?

We have built overlapping genoas for the 37..but there are some real and practical issues.
1. Your rating is going to change. Maybe up to 9seconds a mile for say a 155%. Remember, this rating change affects you upwind and down. Do the math..you will have to be more than this 9sec faster to improve. (assuming you are not winning now...you'll need to be 9 seconds plus some more faster to get close to the winners corrected). Figure out the times you are being beat by and if it is not near the 9secs a mile, you won't improve your finishes.
2. You will need to install new track. The current track length and location will is not in the right place for a genoa which will sheet much further aft.
This means opening up the headliner most likely and installing new track and backing plates/washers.
3. Sheeting angle: Others have said it...going outside the spreaders at the gunwale make the angle of attack worse (wider) and you'll probably not point as well as you would expect.
4. Options: We build a 'screacher' or Reacher for lot's of the new boats configured with the small jib...38's 45, most of the Sense line. They are set up for this and we fit this free flying headsail that has a high clew and sheets to the spinnaker blocks. Great light air (Dana pt) sail. In 7 and under you'll be sailing again..but not at the performance level of tightly sheeted genoa.

bob pattison

ccadiz said:
I have a 2010 Beneteau 37 which is great for cruising but doesn't perform well on Friday races against similar size Catalina boats. The boat is in southern California, where we have light winds. I think the main problem with lack of speed is the size of the 105 headsail. The Catalina boats I race against have 130 or 155 headsails. The
Beneteau 37 (Oceanis) has outboard shrouds and a short and forward inboard fairlead tracks for the headsail sheets. How can a get a 155 headsail to work on this model beneteau? Has anyone tried mounting a rear track for the headsail? Any suggestion would be appreciated.