I have a 2003 26M which I purchased with a roller furling jib. I am thinking about getting a genoa for next season. I don't want to spend the extra money, however, if the change will only be miniscule. I have two questions: 1) How much of a speed difference is there with a genoa vs a jib and does this apply to all sailing conditions or mostly to low winds? 2) Does a genoa change/enhance the pointing characteristics of the boat? Thanks for your valuable advice in advance. Kirk Magee
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Steve
vertical overlap matters more
Hi Kirk: On most boats, the difference between a genoa and jib is only pronounced in very light to light air, especially on reaches and in chop. When beating to windward, even in light air, with proper inboard sheeting position and additional rake, a jib can be fairly close in speed to a genoa. That's because a foresail's vertical overlap with the mainsail is much more important than the horizontal overlap. I raced San Juan 21s for awhile, which are a very competitive one-design class. Interestingly, one excellent sailor never used a genoa, no matter what the winds, yet was very competitive always. What he used, instead, was a genoa height jib, rather than the std., a bit shorter, one. So his was a special cut. Since you're unlikely to be racing, in any event, I'd invest in an assymetrical cruising spinnaker instead. That will make an enormous difference in downwind speed - unlike the minimal difference you'll get upwind with the genoa.
Hi Kirk: On most boats, the difference between a genoa and jib is only pronounced in very light to light air, especially on reaches and in chop. When beating to windward, even in light air, with proper inboard sheeting position and additional rake, a jib can be fairly close in speed to a genoa. That's because a foresail's vertical overlap with the mainsail is much more important than the horizontal overlap. I raced San Juan 21s for awhile, which are a very competitive one-design class. Interestingly, one excellent sailor never used a genoa, no matter what the winds, yet was very competitive always. What he used, instead, was a genoa height jib, rather than the std., a bit shorter, one. So his was a special cut. Since you're unlikely to be racing, in any event, I'd invest in an assymetrical cruising spinnaker instead. That will make an enormous difference in downwind speed - unlike the minimal difference you'll get upwind with the genoa.
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Steve
PS, about pointing
Kirk; If anything, jibs will point higher, assuming the jib track is in the right, usually more inboard, position. In turn, jibs usually need additional rake vis a vis a genoa - as that opens the slot to compensate for the tighter sheeting position near the bottom of the sail that the inboard track creates. That way you get maximum pointing and speed. Not that each boat doesn't have its tuning idiosyncracies. But the above is a good general rule.
Kirk; If anything, jibs will point higher, assuming the jib track is in the right, usually more inboard, position. In turn, jibs usually need additional rake vis a vis a genoa - as that opens the slot to compensate for the tighter sheeting position near the bottom of the sail that the inboard track creates. That way you get maximum pointing and speed. Not that each boat doesn't have its tuning idiosyncracies. But the above is a good general rule.
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Kirk Magee
Racing the 26M
Steve, Thanks for the very informative reply. Do you think it is possible to race with a Mac 26M? I don't necessarily care if I win, but I don't want to be crossing the finish line while everyone else is already at the bar! Your thoughts and experience appreciated. Kirk Magee
Steve, Thanks for the very informative reply. Do you think it is possible to race with a Mac 26M? I don't necessarily care if I win, but I don't want to be crossing the finish line while everyone else is already at the bar! Your thoughts and experience appreciated. Kirk Magee
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Kirk M
the "rake"
Steve, Probably a really simple question: what are you refering to when you say "rake"? Cheers, Kirk Magee
Steve, Probably a really simple question: what are you refering to when you say "rake"? Cheers, Kirk Magee
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Steve
Racing a Mac M
Kirk; I'm wondering that very question myself. The original water ballasted Macs were faster than generally realized, especially in light to moderate air. But the 26X was truly a dog - because unlike the former which was a sailboat only, it was a motor sailor combination. The M is also a motor sailor, but the company website says it's easily faster than the X - which i don't at all doubt - and has a throwaway line claiming it's their fastest water ballasted boat of all. That would mean it's faster than the original (called the D, right?). I'm skeptical, frankly, but I'd love for it to be true. Of course, one can be a bit disingenuous without being entirely untruthful. Maybe in a howl it's faster on a broad reach, because it's hull will plane more easily. But in all other conditions it's slower.
Kirk; I'm wondering that very question myself. The original water ballasted Macs were faster than generally realized, especially in light to moderate air. But the 26X was truly a dog - because unlike the former which was a sailboat only, it was a motor sailor combination. The M is also a motor sailor, but the company website says it's easily faster than the X - which i don't at all doubt - and has a throwaway line claiming it's their fastest water ballasted boat of all. That would mean it's faster than the original (called the D, right?). I'm skeptical, frankly, but I'd love for it to be true. Of course, one can be a bit disingenuous without being entirely untruthful. Maybe in a howl it's faster on a broad reach, because it's hull will plane more easily. But in all other conditions it's slower.
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Steve
rake
Actually, Kirk, although the answer is simple, it's surprising how many sailors misunderstand rake. Rake is the lean of the mast backwards. That you create by letting off the forestay, allowing the mast to lean back at an angle. It's surprising how many sailors confuse that with bending the tip of the mast back by pulling in on their backstay adjuster. So, while that brings the top of the mast back, it also brings the mid-section forward. The mast becomes banana shaped, which is good for heavy air when you want to flatten the main and loosen the leech. But a curved mast is not at all the same thing as a raked mast.
Actually, Kirk, although the answer is simple, it's surprising how many sailors misunderstand rake. Rake is the lean of the mast backwards. That you create by letting off the forestay, allowing the mast to lean back at an angle. It's surprising how many sailors confuse that with bending the tip of the mast back by pulling in on their backstay adjuster. So, while that brings the top of the mast back, it also brings the mid-section forward. The mast becomes banana shaped, which is good for heavy air when you want to flatten the main and loosen the leech. But a curved mast is not at all the same thing as a raked mast.
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