Jib / Genoa for racing a Hunter 23

[Duncan Stott]

Bill and Mark [ of Doyle Sails ],I currently have a Hunter 23 with the standard sails, i.e. 110% Jib. I am thinking of getting new sails and I occaisionally race the boat. I have the following questions.A. Would a 100% Jib and a 150% Genoa be a good choice of sails for this boat?B. The standard set-up for the jib sheets is through a block on a pad-eye, an does not move. I would therefore have to add Jib and Genoa Tracks for the sails. How would I know where to position them? Is it possible they could be short enough that the crew, seated on the side deck,does not have to sit on them, while sailing to windward? The clean side decks are a nice feature of the standard set up, no torn shorts.Thanks for your help,Duncan

 

[Bill Colombo]

Racing Genoas and Tracks

Duncan, A 150% #1 Genoa and a 95-100% Blade w/Battens would be a good headsail inventory for racing. You might consider buying low stretch laminate sails utilizing Pentex fiber. As far as track position and track length you have to look at the deck as well as the underside of the deck to see what is feasible. Ideally the Blade would sheet inside the shrouds at an 11 Degree sheeting angle. This track only needs to be about 18" long. The Genoa track should be a bit longer maybe 24". Your sailmaker can give you a good idea of where the track should go in terms of fore and aft position when they design the sails. I am in Key West right now but when I get back to Alameda I could give you exact positioning since we have a Hunter 23 right outside our sail loft.Bill Colombo, Doyle SF