Larger headsail on a 311

[Del O]

I have the factory supplied 110 headsail on my Beneteau 311 and cannot get enough speed in lighter wind to place well in any race. I want to increase to a 135 or more but don't know if I can because of the track sitting inside the shrouds. Has anyone done this and how did you rig it?

 

[Tim]

Out of luck

The only thing you could do would be to sheet a larger genoa to the toerail using a snatchblock, but then you won't be able to point very well as the sheeting angle would be much larger. I looked at 311's and took it off the list of potential boats for this exact reason.You could petition your local PHRF committee for an allowance for it, but since its only a problem in light air I doubt they'd give you anything. Unless a boat is a one-design type and I was still hard-core racing, I'd never buy a boat that didn't have the ability to use different size headsails.

 

[Mikkel Brahm]

Is an asymetrical spinnaker out of the question?

I have a 323 and have inquired about larger genua, but yhis seems to be impossible.However I am now the happy owner of an assymetrical spinnakker (genakker) from UK sails, and it handles almost just like a genua, except when changing tack.Unless the races you participate in forbid this you might want to look into this type of sail.-/)_ Mikkel.

 

[Doug Meyer]

Similar Situation

I own a Beneteau 323 and have run into the same situation. I have a North 150 genoa and use snatch blocks to the toe rails. Not very pretty, and cannot run close hauled. I also have a North .75oz. Gennaker which is fine for lighter air.If there was a way to re-rig, I would certainly consider doing it. I would like to see much shorter spreaders, and the shrouds led inboard, with jib tracks about twice as long!I opted for the 323 because I didn't have enough water depth in my marina to accomodate a 36.7 which was my first choice. I still like the boat, but would like it to sail fdaster in moderate air.