We'd be interested to know if any H26 owner has used a larger headsail (eg 135% genoa) in place of the standard jib on his/her boat, and with what results. We would like to do some club racing in southwest Fla.
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150 Usually Good Next Sail
Sail selection is part of the racing strategy as much as other aspects of racing. If the winds tend to be strong (like the San Francisco Bay) then having a sail not far from your standard jib (110?) would be good. However, if you get many light winds (Puget Sound) then a 150 would be better for the reason that this is the largest you can use without a penalty (or maybe a 153). The part about a 150 that one should be careful about is when it's new the shape will be wonderful. But because of the lighter sail cloth, after flying it a number of times in strong winds the shape will gradually become full as the draft increases, the boat will heel more and not point as high. The moral of this story is to protect your sail and the investment and change sails when the wind strength becomes too much. With a fractionally rigged boat a 150 is usually a good second sail. Also, check what the winning boats are using.
Sail selection is part of the racing strategy as much as other aspects of racing. If the winds tend to be strong (like the San Francisco Bay) then having a sail not far from your standard jib (110?) would be good. However, if you get many light winds (Puget Sound) then a 150 would be better for the reason that this is the largest you can use without a penalty (or maybe a 153). The part about a 150 that one should be careful about is when it's new the shape will be wonderful. But because of the lighter sail cloth, after flying it a number of times in strong winds the shape will gradually become full as the draft increases, the boat will heel more and not point as high. The moral of this story is to protect your sail and the investment and change sails when the wind strength becomes too much. With a fractionally rigged boat a 150 is usually a good second sail. Also, check what the winning boats are using.
Gennaker
We purchased a gennaker a few years ago and use it when the winds are light. It 's helped us keep moving in light air.
We purchased a gennaker a few years ago and use it when the winds are light. It 's helped us keep moving in light air.
Flying Sails
A gennaker or asymetrical would be my first choice for a second sail after the standard jib because it's easy to set and take down, no pole required, gear (sheets) is cheaper than a symetrical spinaker, and it provides a great increase in sail area, if the rating penalty wasn't a consideration. Once you go over 150 (or 153 in some places) percent, you get a flying sails penalty. If the courses are short and the wind angle is typically good, then the flying sail could be a good competitive sail choice too. For longer courses a standard spinnaker, depending on wind angle, becomes a better choice. Particularly for flying sails, try to get a polar diagram that shows what the sail is designed for. Look at the link below to see how spinnakers can be optomized for various wind speeds and apparent wind angles. If you only wanted to buy one sail it pays to know the course and the likely conditions. There's a lot of factors to consider. This is where having lots of money helps cuz you can buy several sails!
A gennaker or asymetrical would be my first choice for a second sail after the standard jib because it's easy to set and take down, no pole required, gear (sheets) is cheaper than a symetrical spinaker, and it provides a great increase in sail area, if the rating penalty wasn't a consideration. Once you go over 150 (or 153 in some places) percent, you get a flying sails penalty. If the courses are short and the wind angle is typically good, then the flying sail could be a good competitive sail choice too. For longer courses a standard spinnaker, depending on wind angle, becomes a better choice. Particularly for flying sails, try to get a polar diagram that shows what the sail is designed for. Look at the link below to see how spinnakers can be optomized for various wind speeds and apparent wind angles. If you only wanted to buy one sail it pays to know the course and the likely conditions. There's a lot of factors to consider. This is where having lots of money helps cuz you can buy several sails!
A Baggy Pair of Pants
In the Archives, a previous owner claimed the 135 or 150 genoa for this boat made it almost impossible to beat to windward because the boat is too beamy and uses a B
In the Archives, a previous owner claimed the 135 or 150 genoa for this boat made it almost impossible to beat to windward because the boat is too beamy and uses a B
Don't waste money on a big headsail
Kathleen, This seems to be one of the most FAQ's on this sight. The fractional B
Kathleen, This seems to be one of the most FAQ's on this sight. The fractional B
150 Performance on B
This is in response to Rick Engel's question about someone’s alleged poor performance with a 150 on a H-26. There is no reason I can think of why a Hunter 26 should have sluggish performance with properly trimmed sails. A 150 in light to medium air on our Hunter 35 turns it into a rocket ship (well, adds about 1/2 knot) by comparison to the 110. In light air there is a noticeable increase in boat speed. I have all tell-tales flying properly on both the jib and the main. The gap between the main and the genoa should not pinch the air flow and cause backwinding of the main so a Barber hauler could help. Sluggish performance may also be due to drag from a dirty bottom or a fixed-blade prop. At higher boat speeds, such as what you should get with a 150, the fixed-blade prop will cause more drag. I've got a feathering prop and this really reduces drag under sail and probably adds another half-knot over the fixed-blade version. The speed increase with the 150 and a feathering prop is almost 1-knot additional, and with better pointing! The feathering prop enables the boat to point higher, by reducing drag, which increases apparent wind and further increases speed. This is exhilarating sailing! Our H-35 is designed much like the H-26 with wider stern and B
This is in response to Rick Engel's question about someone’s alleged poor performance with a 150 on a H-26. There is no reason I can think of why a Hunter 26 should have sluggish performance with properly trimmed sails. A 150 in light to medium air on our Hunter 35 turns it into a rocket ship (well, adds about 1/2 knot) by comparison to the 110. In light air there is a noticeable increase in boat speed. I have all tell-tales flying properly on both the jib and the main. The gap between the main and the genoa should not pinch the air flow and cause backwinding of the main so a Barber hauler could help. Sluggish performance may also be due to drag from a dirty bottom or a fixed-blade prop. At higher boat speeds, such as what you should get with a 150, the fixed-blade prop will cause more drag. I've got a feathering prop and this really reduces drag under sail and probably adds another half-knot over the fixed-blade version. The speed increase with the 150 and a feathering prop is almost 1-knot additional, and with better pointing! The feathering prop enables the boat to point higher, by reducing drag, which increases apparent wind and further increases speed. This is exhilarating sailing! Our H-35 is designed much like the H-26 with wider stern and B
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