Jib size for SF Bay

[John R]

So here's my conflict:

I'm going to get a new roller furled jib for my C 36 Mark II, tall mast, which I sail on and around the SF Bay. As bay sailors (and maybe others) know, the bay gets pretty strong winds almost every afternoon in summer. By early evening the winds usually tail off a lot. In winter, we get a good breeze before, during and right after a storm rolls through (which is precious few times this season). Otherwise, there is very, very light wind.

The type of sailing I like to do is very non-competitive -- no racing. Not interested in sailing heeled over with one rail in the water.

I'm trying to figure out what size sail would be best. I've noticed that a larger sail, when rolled up a lot, leaves me unable to sail close to the wind at all. A pretty small sail - 90% or so - is not really enough for very light air. I'm thinking of something like 100% or 105% as the best compromise.

Any thoughts?

 

[sfgary]

If you don't want to be changing sails I think a 100 or 105 will work fine. I have 2 sails, a 90 for Summer and a 150 for Winter and change them in the Fall and Spring. I also have a kite that helps me get down the Estuary in lite air. This combination also gives me a chance to inspect both sails every year. Hope you have a great sailing season!

Gary

 

[Joe]

When I lived there in the late 70's early 80's, the popular set up for masthead rigged boats used a smaller, minimal roach, or reefed main with a larger headsail... but we sailed with a full suit of headsails and relished matching the sail for the conditions ..... So, for casual sailing today, with more efficient roller furling technology... I would go with the larger size, 110 say, and power down with a mainsail reef before rolling up the headsail.... That's just me though... so go with what the locals recommend.

 

[cat38skip]

John,
We keep a 90% Yankee cut jib on the furler for most all Bay sailing. Unless we are racing, it is more than sufficient for comfortable Bay sailing. On those blustery Summer days we still throw a reef in the main for comfort.

 

[John R]

Should have known

I should have known this would happen.

Why can't everybody have the same opinion? Life would be so much simpler.

Maybe in the next life, we'll all be identical robots.

 

[JohnShannon]

Basically two conditions right, summer = 20+ winter = very little

I have a winter jib and a summer jib. If you just want one jib go for maybe a 90% jib and if there is no wind motor. A furled big jib gives poor performance. Smaller jib might be a bit cheaper, also easier to tack.

 

[jswesterman]

John,

I'm in the same position as you - C36 mk ii on SF Bay and looking for a 90% jib. Would be interested to know what you decided. If you bought a 90% jib what are your experiences? And where did you get it?

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[Scotty C-M]

Hi John, I noticed that the information was pretty consistant: a 90 to 100% jib for most sailing. Get somthing larger if you want for the winter when the winds are usually lighter. I have a 135 because I only want one sail. (I'ts a money thing.) My boat handles the conditions pretty well, but with the mast-head sloop, I reef the main to de-power the boat. I've sailed a 36 a lot (my brother had one in SF) and personally would go with a 110%, slightly high cut (not quite a Yankee) because I like to power up to some degree. A 90% is, however, a very good jib for the Bay.

 

[Stu Jackson]

We run an 85% during the summer, 110 in winter. Like I told you before you moved.

 

[John Nantz]

Heavier weight fabric

If you get the sail from a loft I'd ask them where the cloth weight fits in their recommended formula. If the jib is anywhere near the edge of the recommended weight, if it was my decision, I'd go to the next heaver weight.

Since it is on a furler you don't have to handle it and the extra weight of the cloth won't really affect the boat. However, the heavier weight won't get blown out nearly as easy.

One thing that really makes sailing uncomfortable is a sail that is blown-out or has too much draft. The heavier fabric will help give more life to the sail.

As for the percentage question - while a smaller sail reduces the area and; hence, the load, as has been mentioned, there is a lot of drive lost. The jib and the main act as an airfoil and work together.

There may be a problem with too much draft in the main if it is older and that hasn't been mentioned. With some draft strips and digital pictures a loft can determine if the shape is good or if it needs a little tummy tuck.

If it was my boat, my preference would be to reef and trim the main but sail with a 100 or 110% jib.

Ever thought about installing a removeable innerstay?

For what it's worth, I've crewed on a Cal 40 way back when, including races down to Monterey, and sailed a 16-foot daysailer out the gate and down the coast. Almost bought a 43-footer in Alameda with the thought of bringing her up the coast but one part of the deal-breaker was the baggy sails.