Jib Size

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MLampner

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Aug 23, 2009
361
Hunter 30 Middle River MD
In the process of putting a furler on my Hunter 30 for the jib. My current Genoa is a 135. The boat balances well with this sail and performance is good, we can often out run longer boats going to wind.

So that raises questions in replacing the jib with one designed for the furler, what size should I go. Several friends suggested going to a 155 and I recently saw on Bacon's web site a 171. I am too green a sailor to know what if any effect this will have on handling. Weather helm is generally manageable with a slight tweak of the sheet will a larger sail make it a bigger issue?

Will performance improve enough to justify the added cost? Assume it would be better in light air assuming there is enough to fill it. With 15 mph I can get pretty close to hull speed using the 135.

Thoughts anybody?
 
Paul F

Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
The choice depends on the winds where you are in Maryland. I remember the light winds in summer. Fall and Spring are usually not the problem. With a 155 you may be reefing the Genoa and roller furllers do not reef well. As far as weather helm the genoa doesn't effect it other than to counter act the main. The head sail pulls the boat way from the wind and the main can push the boat into the wind if it is set up right. Enjoy this new sport. There is enough for a lifetime.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
I would agree with Paul. If you have had good success with your current sail, I would not go any bigger. One you put a furler on the boat the reefing will compromise your sail trim.

Be sure that you get a furler that is designed for reefing. Some of them are not.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Doing Well

As you said it balance the boat well and out sails other boats that are bigger so why change anything if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Go get the same size sail made for the furler and ask a sail maker what king of sail you should get for the type of sailing you do where you are.
nick
 
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s sauer

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Jun 4, 2004
844
Hunter 28.5 Tolchester, MD
Re: Doing Well

Having been a northern Chesapeake Bay sailor, racing and cruising for over 30 years, I'd say a 135 or 140 Genoa is the best sail for this size boat if you have only one Genoa. However, if you are interested in performance and more so if you are interested in racing, you will want a 155% Genoa to maximize the boats performance in winds from 5 to 14 Knots. At 15 to about 23 knots the 135 is best and beyond that a 110 would be better. Bacons may have a good used sail to add for the typical light summer air of the Chesapeake. The 155% is the maximum Genoa size under PHRF without penalty and a 170 is really only useful as a drifter and not typically as an upwind sail. You can also talk to a local sailmaker for specifics relative to your boat in this area.
 
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