I'm thinking of buying a larger genoa for the boat, say 135% as opposed to standard issue. Anyone any experience of doing this?
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possibly
Why? Hunters with B&R rigs are meant to sail a little differently than a rigs with back stays. Back stay rigged sailboats are usually fitted with larger genoas and smaller mains. The power is then mostly achieved from the genoa. The B&R rig allows a large roach main to be used with a correspondingly a small 100% jib. The power is achieved from the main. Also, the designers sail plan for the boat is designed so that the center of effort is slightly ahead of the center of lateral resistance. Putting on a larger jib would move the center of effort and the boat could become a little tender sailing to wind. It would help sailing downwind.
Why? Hunters with B&R rigs are meant to sail a little differently than a rigs with back stays. Back stay rigged sailboats are usually fitted with larger genoas and smaller mains. The power is then mostly achieved from the genoa. The B&R rig allows a large roach main to be used with a correspondingly a small 100% jib. The power is achieved from the main. Also, the designers sail plan for the boat is designed so that the center of effort is slightly ahead of the center of lateral resistance. Putting on a larger jib would move the center of effort and the boat could become a little tender sailing to wind. It would help sailing downwind.
Second Every Word
Hi, David. We have a 340; some hull and sail plan as the 336. We would second every word that George says. Putting a big genoa on would really go against the way the entire rig is designed and balanced. The only reason to even think about a big genoa on a 336 is if you sail constantly in very light air. If anything, the 336/340 sail plan is already over-sailed. There is a LOT of sail area up there, assuming of course that you have the standard roached main. That means, if anything, reefing early; we will find ourselves putting in the first reef at about 15 knots, sometime even less. Last year overall we probably sailed with at least one reef as much as we sailed with full sail. We make the reefing decision based on heel; the 336/340 hull much prefers to be sailed relatively flat; 15-25 degress heel, no more. Again, unless you sail essentially all the time in very light air, you already have more than enough sail up there. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy' (In the water two days ago!!!!!)
Hi, David. We have a 340; some hull and sail plan as the 336. We would second every word that George says. Putting a big genoa on would really go against the way the entire rig is designed and balanced. The only reason to even think about a big genoa on a 336 is if you sail constantly in very light air. If anything, the 336/340 sail plan is already over-sailed. There is a LOT of sail area up there, assuming of course that you have the standard roached main. That means, if anything, reefing early; we will find ourselves putting in the first reef at about 15 knots, sometime even less. Last year overall we probably sailed with at least one reef as much as we sailed with full sail. We make the reefing decision based on heel; the 336/340 hull much prefers to be sailed relatively flat; 15-25 degress heel, no more. Again, unless you sail essentially all the time in very light air, you already have more than enough sail up there. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy' (In the water two days ago!!!!!)
APC alternative
A year ago I called Hunter about replacing jib with something larger. They talked me out of it with many of same reasons mentioned in other replies, plus tracks likely would have to be moved. We do have an APC that we fly when in a hurry or just for fun and we're not having a lazy day. We use it on a run and sometimes reaching and with care, it can be flown as a huge genoa (just put it to use yesterday off Lynn and Marblehead). Our 336 performs very well when sailing close to the wind and add'l sail then wouldn't buy us much.
A year ago I called Hunter about replacing jib with something larger. They talked me out of it with many of same reasons mentioned in other replies, plus tracks likely would have to be moved. We do have an APC that we fly when in a hurry or just for fun and we're not having a lazy day. We use it on a run and sometimes reaching and with care, it can be flown as a huge genoa (just put it to use yesterday off Lynn and Marblehead). Our 336 performs very well when sailing close to the wind and add'l sail then wouldn't buy us much.
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