High Clew Genoa

[Gary Wyngarden]

Bill and Mark,Welcome to the web site and thanks for the great input you've provided already.When I purchased my Hunter 335, its sail inventory included a high clew genoa. It's hardly been used. I've had it on once just to see what it looked and sailed like. The foot ends up about 4-5 feet above the deck. I think it looks kind of dumb and it spills a lot of air. The only purpose I can see for such a sail is if you had a dinghy on the foredeck that extended pretty high and you didn't want it to interfere with the sail. So what's a high clew genoa for? Can you clue me in? Thanks.Gary WyngardenS/V Shibumi H335

 

[Roland]

Are you racing...

or cruising? My '77 h30 has a high cut jib clew also. I believe it is also called a Yankee cut(?). Anyway, I don't find that it hinders performance in any way, (maybe, I'm losing half a knot) is easy to control, doesn't chafe on the spreaders, holds it's shape better if I have to reef it in, and I don't have to keep leaning out to see what's approaching to leeward.-RolandS/V Fraulein II

 

[Bill Colombo]

Genoa Clew Height

Gary, What size sail are we talking about? If your genoa track is relatively limited in length and doesn't extend very far forward any small LP Genoa (110% or less)will require a high clew in order to sheet correctly. It is also possible that the designer wanted to keep the clew higher for better visibility. Anyway, as long as the sail is able to sheet properly it should perform well regardless of clew height. Usually I design cruising headsails with the clew at least 2 1/2'-3' off the deck in order to keep clear of the lifelines(which are usually at 24"). Racing Genoas are designed with lower clews but these sails often need to be "skirted' in tacks.Bill Colombo, Doyle SF