I was just thinking about this situation I have with my sails running over the top of my lifelines. Everyone seems to say keep the lifelines, and that it's not that big of a deal. I started looking at pictures of other O'days, 22's in particular, and noticed that the sails in every picture have the foot of the sail at least two feet off the deck. My sails on the other hand ride almost flush with the deck. In the 'related link' I've put a picture that is similar to the problem I have. Imagine the sails being flush with the deck in that picture and going up over the life lines like that and you have my boat. My only thought to prevent this was to remove the the lifelines and stanchions. I plan on buying some new sails though, and hope they will be OEM. My question is, how high should the foresails ride off the deck? If I have the wrong configuration, thats where my problem is coming from. Josh
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Your "Deck-Sweeping" Genoa
A full cut 150, like yours is going to sit lower and ride the rails. Possibly you have been looking at pictures of 22's with factory installed 110% jibs. These are probably cut higher. Why not have your 150, recut and lifted higher? Honestly Josh, I don't understand this lifeline/sail concern of yours. Taking off your lines to prevent supposed sailrash or whatever is your own personal decision, but I would'nt do it on mine. Don
A full cut 150, like yours is going to sit lower and ride the rails. Possibly you have been looking at pictures of 22's with factory installed 110% jibs. These are probably cut higher. Why not have your 150, recut and lifted higher? Honestly Josh, I don't understand this lifeline/sail concern of yours. Taking off your lines to prevent supposed sailrash or whatever is your own personal decision, but I would'nt do it on mine. Don
The concern is...
wear on the sails. The chafe caused by the sails rubbing on the lifelines can't be very good for them, and I'd rather remove the lifelines then replace the sails every other year. The sails aren't in the best of shape as it is, and I have no idea how old they are. The previous owner never used the genoa, and only sailed the boat about seven times in the three years that he owned it. I have no idea if these are OEM sails or not. After thinking about it and comparing what I have to pictures, I'm wagering they arent. The reason that I am making an issue out of it is that it doesn't look right. The fact of the matter is it looks wrong, and very wrong at that. I equate it to seeing a car driving down the road with a half flat tire. You know it isn't good for it, and that it's going to do nothing but cause headaches if it isn't fixed soon! Also, the jib sheets have a tendency to get caught up in the lifeline stanchions because the sails are trying to let out past the lifelines. When the sails go up over the lifelines, it has to take the sheet with it. Tightning the jib sheet while it's hanging across the lifeline just puts a lot of pressure on the lifelines. Then, sometimes when I tack, the sheets hang up in the lifelines and I have to climb forward to get them to let loose of the lifelines. The way it is now, it just doesn't fly right. I thought I'd remove the lifelines and store them. If I sold the boat, the next owner can decide if he wanted to put them on. I'm just wondering if ordering some stock sails, which I may do soon, would have any diffrence? If the sails are supposed to be two feet off the deck and mine are not, it would explain more then just this problem. It would explain the placement of the slides so far back. Raising the height of the jib would also raise the angle of where my sheet should tie to them for the best sail shape. In the begining, I had actually thought the lifelines were aftermarket. But after talking here and looking around the net, I'm wondering if it's the sails that are incorrect? It's obviously a problem or I wouldn't have such a fit heh. It might wait until next year either way, because it's not going to be sailed any time soon. I'll measure the sails to make certain of what I have though...that just came as an idea... It's not that I'm against life lines, I'm just against how it and the sail intereact. If one has to go, it's going to be the lifelines. Josh
wear on the sails. The chafe caused by the sails rubbing on the lifelines can't be very good for them, and I'd rather remove the lifelines then replace the sails every other year. The sails aren't in the best of shape as it is, and I have no idea how old they are. The previous owner never used the genoa, and only sailed the boat about seven times in the three years that he owned it. I have no idea if these are OEM sails or not. After thinking about it and comparing what I have to pictures, I'm wagering they arent. The reason that I am making an issue out of it is that it doesn't look right. The fact of the matter is it looks wrong, and very wrong at that. I equate it to seeing a car driving down the road with a half flat tire. You know it isn't good for it, and that it's going to do nothing but cause headaches if it isn't fixed soon! Also, the jib sheets have a tendency to get caught up in the lifeline stanchions because the sails are trying to let out past the lifelines. When the sails go up over the lifelines, it has to take the sheet with it. Tightning the jib sheet while it's hanging across the lifeline just puts a lot of pressure on the lifelines. Then, sometimes when I tack, the sheets hang up in the lifelines and I have to climb forward to get them to let loose of the lifelines. The way it is now, it just doesn't fly right. I thought I'd remove the lifelines and store them. If I sold the boat, the next owner can decide if he wanted to put them on. I'm just wondering if ordering some stock sails, which I may do soon, would have any diffrence? If the sails are supposed to be two feet off the deck and mine are not, it would explain more then just this problem. It would explain the placement of the slides so far back. Raising the height of the jib would also raise the angle of where my sheet should tie to them for the best sail shape. In the begining, I had actually thought the lifelines were aftermarket. But after talking here and looking around the net, I'm wondering if it's the sails that are incorrect? It's obviously a problem or I wouldn't have such a fit heh. It might wait until next year either way, because it's not going to be sailed any time soon. I'll measure the sails to make certain of what I have though...that just came as an idea... It's not that I'm against life lines, I'm just against how it and the sail intereact. If one has to go, it's going to be the lifelines. Josh
my 2 cents
Josh, for what it's worth I MUST agree with Don, why not cut your Genoa? its done everyday, just find a sailmaker in your area. You may even be able to have them come out to your boat to take a look. As far as removing the life lines, I sail with a friend on a cutter rig Stonehorse, his boat doesnt have life lines, a lot of boats dont, but when your on deck and the boat heals over @ 25 you'll wish you had them. just my 2cents. good luck on ... richj
Josh, for what it's worth I MUST agree with Don, why not cut your Genoa? its done everyday, just find a sailmaker in your area. You may even be able to have them come out to your boat to take a look. As far as removing the life lines, I sail with a friend on a cutter rig Stonehorse, his boat doesnt have life lines, a lot of boats dont, but when your on deck and the boat heals over @ 25 you'll wish you had them. just my 2cents. good luck on ... richj
genoaine problem
Josh, I have similar interference on the genoa on my 22.I thought about lowering the lifeline on the bow end, and attatching it to the lower eye on the pulpit. I think the genny would lay in ok then.Cutting the sail down and raising it would sure help visibility to leeward,though! John
Josh, I have similar interference on the genoa on my 22.I thought about lowering the lifeline on the bow end, and attatching it to the lower eye on the pulpit. I think the genny would lay in ok then.Cutting the sail down and raising it would sure help visibility to leeward,though! John
It's an idea!
I may very well cut it. I'm also going to look into purchasing new sails, because the ones I have aren't in the best shape. They work, but are worn. The thought at the time was that I didn't think I had much choice. I was going to remove the lifelines and just use a harness to the mast. Now though, on looking at it, it seems the sail is the problem. I will probably get new sails next year, and see how they fly. After doing so, I'll take in them all at one time that need to be altered and repaired. Try to fix the worn out ones and shorten the too long ones. Of course the life lines still need to come off. The stress from people leaning on it and the sails has caused them to need a rebedding! Of course, everything does..and everything is getting it. Thanks for the time everyone, Josh
I may very well cut it. I'm also going to look into purchasing new sails, because the ones I have aren't in the best shape. They work, but are worn. The thought at the time was that I didn't think I had much choice. I was going to remove the lifelines and just use a harness to the mast. Now though, on looking at it, it seems the sail is the problem. I will probably get new sails next year, and see how they fly. After doing so, I'll take in them all at one time that need to be altered and repaired. Try to fix the worn out ones and shorten the too long ones. Of course the life lines still need to come off. The stress from people leaning on it and the sails has caused them to need a rebedding! Of course, everything does..and everything is getting it. Thanks for the time everyone, Josh
I have a non-OEM 150 jenny and
it was obviously cut to fit over the pulpit and lifelines. The tack (?, I can never remember the proper names for the parts of the sails, sorry) is fitted with a shackle that is actually on a loop of line that is about a foot long. This effectively allows the sail to be raised high enough so that the bottom edge is kept above the top of the pulpit and lifelines. The prior owner told me that he had this sail custom made. If the leading edge of your genoa is short enough to allow it to be raised higher than it is now, try "raising" the sail over the pulpit by adding distance between the tack and bow fitting with a loop of line. I think you are correct in assuming that the ill-fitting sails are not OEM. My O'day OEM 100% jib attaches directly to the fitting on the bow, but the sail is still cut so that the pulpit and lifelines are unaffected.
it was obviously cut to fit over the pulpit and lifelines. The tack (?, I can never remember the proper names for the parts of the sails, sorry) is fitted with a shackle that is actually on a loop of line that is about a foot long. This effectively allows the sail to be raised high enough so that the bottom edge is kept above the top of the pulpit and lifelines. The prior owner told me that he had this sail custom made. If the leading edge of your genoa is short enough to allow it to be raised higher than it is now, try "raising" the sail over the pulpit by adding distance between the tack and bow fitting with a loop of line. I think you are correct in assuming that the ill-fitting sails are not OEM. My O'day OEM 100% jib attaches directly to the fitting on the bow, but the sail is still cut so that the pulpit and lifelines are unaffected.
IF Your Gonna Replace Your Sails...
Consider adding a roller furling unit, and have the sail built for the unit. You can pick up a CDI or Schaeffer Snap Furl for under 400. If money is tight, defer it to another year, then have the sail loft cut your new sail to match the unit. Due to the nature of the RF unit, the headsail is cut to sit higher off the deck so your concern with regards to sailchafe over the lifelines will be gone . I sailed for 10 years with a hanked on deck-sweeping 150%. Sail rode over the lifelines constantly, had little or no chafe problem. Jib sheets would occasionaly hang on the line if there was little wind, but a flick of the sheet from the cockpit would clear them. Don
Consider adding a roller furling unit, and have the sail built for the unit. You can pick up a CDI or Schaeffer Snap Furl for under 400. If money is tight, defer it to another year, then have the sail loft cut your new sail to match the unit. Due to the nature of the RF unit, the headsail is cut to sit higher off the deck so your concern with regards to sailchafe over the lifelines will be gone . I sailed for 10 years with a hanked on deck-sweeping 150%. Sail rode over the lifelines constantly, had little or no chafe problem. Jib sheets would occasionaly hang on the line if there was little wind, but a flick of the sheet from the cockpit would clear them. Don
You couldn't pay me to ditch my lifelines 
Josh - I'm glad to hear you're now thinking you'll keep the lifelines. I had nice welt across my chest from landing on mine this summer. Sure was glad to have them! The sail suggestions you've gotten are good ones and I have little to add to the discussion except to say that its possible to get a scraficial patch sewn on the sail to protect it from the lines. You might want to check that out. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Josh - I'm glad to hear you're now thinking you'll keep the lifelines. I had nice welt across my chest from landing on mine this summer. Sure was glad to have them! The sail suggestions you've gotten are good ones and I have little to add to the discussion except to say that its possible to get a scraficial patch sewn on the sail to protect it from the lines. You might want to check that out. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Why not do a combination of things
If you're planning to get new sails anyway, why not go ahead now and lower the forward attachment points of your lifelines to the base of the bow pulpit, keep your 150% Genoa "as is" for light air sailing (or racing if you're at all into that)and get your new jib cut higher to your own satisfaction or--better yet--have your sailmaker look at the boat, measure it and take into account your obviously strong feelings on jibs that come in contact with lifelines. There's no rule that says you can't have more than one jib (most racers have multiple sets of sails for varying conditions and uses). I would really think twice about cutting down a large headsail.
If you're planning to get new sails anyway, why not go ahead now and lower the forward attachment points of your lifelines to the base of the bow pulpit, keep your 150% Genoa "as is" for light air sailing (or racing if you're at all into that)and get your new jib cut higher to your own satisfaction or--better yet--have your sailmaker look at the boat, measure it and take into account your obviously strong feelings on jibs that come in contact with lifelines. There's no rule that says you can't have more than one jib (most racers have multiple sets of sails for varying conditions and uses). I would really think twice about cutting down a large headsail.
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