Hunter 31 headsail, what size for high winds?

[Jim]

I would like to sail and race in 30 knots of wind but with my 110% jib I am overpowered in more than 17 knots. What size of head sail [storm sail] should I go to?

 

[Justin]

Why not reef?

Jim, why not throw in a reef or two? You're boat should stand up to 30 nots with a 110% and two reefs. That's seems a lot easier than carrying another sail. Most all boats are going to reefed at 30 knots anyway.You could go to a 90% jib, but you'd only use it when it is really cranking. If you need a smaller sail than 90% and two reefs you aren't racing you're surviving.

 

[John McDaris]

headsail

I have a 110 on my 31`and when the wind gets up I just reef my main and most of the time keep my haedsail out all the way and it really handles nice.

 

[Larry S.]

How old is your main?

If your main is bagged out you will heel over excessively, I have raced one of these boats in 30 knot winds with two reefs and a 128% jib. LAS

 

[Jim]

storm sail

Larry,I just purchased a new Pentax Main Sail with two reefs hopeing that would help. I am using the original 110% Johnson sail that came with the boat. The sail was never used. I had a tape installed so I could use it on my furler. It does not have a miter cut and develops a lot of stretch when the wind pipes up, which is the problem. I tried furling the 110 but the shape is lousy. I also have a 150%, but when the wind is up I put the 110 on for racing rather than furling my 150. I was thinking of going to a head sail with a short luff and a maybe a foot of 14' for high winds.