Larger Headsail??

[rvh111]

Hi there...I have a 2007 Hunter 27. Can anyone tell me if I can get anymore speed out of her if I change the headsail from the standard 110% to a larger (say) 135% sail??
Await your rep;ies...cheers Roger

 

[Benny]

You could get enhanced performance in very light winds. The boat is designed with a B&R rig which accomodates a large roach mainsail to provide power and a 110% headsail to mostly provide stability. The new hull shapes ride best at 20 degrees or less of heeling angle so the addition of extra headsail could actually be counterproductive. If you want to add a larger sail to your arsenal consider an asymetrical spinaker which will enhance your downwind performance. The B&R rig with the swept back spreaders which do not allow the main to be fully deployed can use the help going down wind.

 

[rvh111]

Thank you for that. It is mainly for light winds that I want it for so that might work out ok.
cheers Roger

 

[David in Sandusky]

Asymetric for reaching

In light winds, our asymetric sails well at around 60 degrees off the true wind. Crack off a bit from that and it really comes into its own through the whole range of reaching.

Dead down wind is slower than gybing between broad reaches, especially with your swept back rig. On Lady Lillie, or '77 h27, the asymetric converts about 20% of our time from motoring to sailing in light winds on Lake Erie.

 

[seadaddler]

Too Much

I am no expert at this and need much to learn yet but I have been told 135 would be too much and heard of guys that were racing added maybe 120 or 125 but is it really worth that extra cash,the spinnaker might be better spent money.
What I noticed on my 110 jib is the terrible shape and trim of a roller furling
jib sail which is why we lose the real power from this sail especially when say 15 and up of wind,this I think is where a hank on sail does much better holding better shape.
So if not racing a spinnaker maybe with a chute would be good.
Nick

 

[rvh111]

Many thanks for replying...it looks as if an assymetric spinnaker is the way to go.
Thanks for the info..
cheers from Australia.

 

[rvh111]

Thanks seadaddler...looks as if an assymetric spinnaker is the go.
I also love the look of your boat...a bigger sister to my baby 27!
cheers Roger
PS are you familiar with a "Tacker" spinnaker system and if so is it any good???

 

[Alan]

rvh111

A spinnaker 'tacker' is a really bad idea. It is going to detract from proper performance and will additionally limit how far off the wind you can fly your akite without being blanketed by the main.
You would be far better served tacking the akite as far forward as possible. The anchor roller is the best option unless you have a sprit.