I am looking at getting new head sails for my 1984 Hunter 25.5 Only one came with the boat I bought about 3 months ago. I think it is around 100% First is that I only do lake sailing. Most of the wind is 3 to 8 knots. What size would you recommed for this wind speed. Second is for the orginal 100% sail what is the wind speed this is good for? I have little experience with this boat and I am thinking it is good for 8 to 15 knots. Third. If you were going to buy two new sails would you just buy a roller furler and a 150%. If so what are the positives other than not taking it up and down. I heard that they jam up and also don't trimm well. I only do beer can races at the club so High performance really is no issue.
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new sails for hunter 25.5
I have a Hunter 84 25.5 shoal keel that I bought about a year a go. The first thing I did is to install a roller jib. About $ 1500.00, it can be installed on the existing forestay with a flexible foil so that you can trailer it. It is a 135%. Its original hanked jib was 150% and it was much too large. Infact I hardly ever open all the 135% of it, more like 100% is more common. It is not hard to use but it is different. I bought it from Mauri pro sailing 800 766-6264 maurisails.com. I used CDI FF4BB. The jib is 6.5 oz Dacron, much tougher than the original lightweight jib. If you are handy, you can install it yourself. You have to cut the foil about 20" with a hack saw. I will be replacing the main soon aswell, I am using the original main. Have fun.
I have a Hunter 84 25.5 shoal keel that I bought about a year a go. The first thing I did is to install a roller jib. About $ 1500.00, it can be installed on the existing forestay with a flexible foil so that you can trailer it. It is a 135%. Its original hanked jib was 150% and it was much too large. Infact I hardly ever open all the 135% of it, more like 100% is more common. It is not hard to use but it is different. I bought it from Mauri pro sailing 800 766-6264 maurisails.com. I used CDI FF4BB. The jib is 6.5 oz Dacron, much tougher than the original lightweight jib. If you are handy, you can install it yourself. You have to cut the foil about 20" with a hack saw. I will be replacing the main soon aswell, I am using the original main. Have fun.
Light Air Sailing?
At 3-8 knots in a lake you aren't sailing in SanFrancisco Bay winds. The Shoal Draft version may not carry a larger headsail like a 155% Genoa as well as a deep keel version. You could keep the 110 get a luff tape sewed on and get luff tape 145 to 155% Genoa with a Head Foil if you have the deep keel version and really are interested in performance. Reef the Main or drop down to the 110 when the wind is over about 15 knots. Save the money on the roller furler and put it into a new main with better shape. Two good sails would seem to be much better than one good headsail on a furler and keeping an old mainsail. Don't plan on partially furling a headsail on a roller furler as a means of shortening down in a race. J80's have roller furler headsails - they are either all out or all in and they hoist a sock over them in the slip rateher than screw up the leech with a layer of UV cloth. A roller furler will help you sail single handed a little easier; however, you will reduce pointing ability and light air performance slightly as well.
At 3-8 knots in a lake you aren't sailing in SanFrancisco Bay winds. The Shoal Draft version may not carry a larger headsail like a 155% Genoa as well as a deep keel version. You could keep the 110 get a luff tape sewed on and get luff tape 145 to 155% Genoa with a Head Foil if you have the deep keel version and really are interested in performance. Reef the Main or drop down to the 110 when the wind is over about 15 knots. Save the money on the roller furler and put it into a new main with better shape. Two good sails would seem to be much better than one good headsail on a furler and keeping an old mainsail. Don't plan on partially furling a headsail on a roller furler as a means of shortening down in a race. J80's have roller furler headsails - they are either all out or all in and they hoist a sock over them in the slip rateher than screw up the leech with a layer of UV cloth. A roller furler will help you sail single handed a little easier; however, you will reduce pointing ability and light air performance slightly as well.
What I have...
I bought my 1984 25.5 with fin keel 3 seasons ago. I too sail on an inland lake. Winds generally are similar to yours, however, I also see winds pushing into the teens and low 20's (measured on my handheld wind gauge). I put a new main sail on plus a new CDI roller (love it, had one on my 21 footer too). I had the 150 hank-on genoa cut down to go on the fuller so now it clears the life lines ( it was a deck sweeper). My guess it's about 135% now and I could see oncoming traffic under it. In 3-8 knots I have all sails out. At 10-12+ I'll reef the main (I'd recommend a 2nd reef point if winds go higher). As winds increase I start to roll in genny but pointing performance decreases to 110. More wind and it's time to roll in all the way in. However, I don't have luff tape on it either. Perhaps that would have helped to get better shape and more reef out of it. I have NO problems pointing high as long as you pull it in tight. Your second question - YES, good for 8-15. Q3- Two new sails would be main with 2 reef points and loose foot... plus a 135% genoa with luff tape on a CDI roller furling. I never had my CDI jam on two different boats. Mine is a FF4 with Ball Bearing too. For your sailing conditions and your easy going races, I believe you would get the most bang for the buck. Enjoy!
I bought my 1984 25.5 with fin keel 3 seasons ago. I too sail on an inland lake. Winds generally are similar to yours, however, I also see winds pushing into the teens and low 20's (measured on my handheld wind gauge). I put a new main sail on plus a new CDI roller (love it, had one on my 21 footer too). I had the 150 hank-on genoa cut down to go on the fuller so now it clears the life lines ( it was a deck sweeper). My guess it's about 135% now and I could see oncoming traffic under it. In 3-8 knots I have all sails out. At 10-12+ I'll reef the main (I'd recommend a 2nd reef point if winds go higher). As winds increase I start to roll in genny but pointing performance decreases to 110. More wind and it's time to roll in all the way in. However, I don't have luff tape on it either. Perhaps that would have helped to get better shape and more reef out of it. I have NO problems pointing high as long as you pull it in tight. Your second question - YES, good for 8-15. Q3- Two new sails would be main with 2 reef points and loose foot... plus a 135% genoa with luff tape on a CDI roller furling. I never had my CDI jam on two different boats. Mine is a FF4 with Ball Bearing too. For your sailing conditions and your easy going races, I believe you would get the most bang for the buck. Enjoy!
o.k.
Yes, we sometimes get winds on the lake in the high teen or low twenty's but not offen enough to consider a special sail or rigging for it. I would like to get a new main and then either the roller furler and two head sails. More feedback is welcome. Just trying to decide which way to go. Big investment for the boat. I know it is time to get rid of the old rags and give it some lovin... Pulling it out later in the winter to look at the bottom to see if I have anything going on down there that needs attention. More than likely it is the biggest boat I am going to get for the lake. Next boat will be heading to Charleston, SC. Thanks
Yes, we sometimes get winds on the lake in the high teen or low twenty's but not offen enough to consider a special sail or rigging for it. I would like to get a new main and then either the roller furler and two head sails. More feedback is welcome. Just trying to decide which way to go. Big investment for the boat. I know it is time to get rid of the old rags and give it some lovin... Pulling it out later in the winter to look at the bottom to see if I have anything going on down there that needs attention. More than likely it is the biggest boat I am going to get for the lake. Next boat will be heading to Charleston, SC. Thanks
roller
I had a 25.5 for a few years and really liked. We out a new roller furfler on and went with a 140 pentex genoa. Nice compromise! We sailed on a large lade with many days 5 to 10 but higher winds not uncommon. We only raced a little and for most days the convenience of the furler in hard to beat. the 140 was falrly big but not as overpowered as a 155 in medium winds. Several sails are nice but I have gone that route and my wife and I sail more when things are less complicated.
I had a 25.5 for a few years and really liked. We out a new roller furfler on and went with a 140 pentex genoa. Nice compromise! We sailed on a large lade with many days 5 to 10 but higher winds not uncommon. We only raced a little and for most days the convenience of the furler in hard to beat. the 140 was falrly big but not as overpowered as a 155 in medium winds. Several sails are nice but I have gone that route and my wife and I sail more when things are less complicated.
What oz fabric do you use in those winds
For lake sailing what oz. dacron fabric do you use. Each sail maker has their own ideas from 4.93 oz to 7 oz. On a C.D.I. roller furling does one work better than the other. As far as luff goes,, would you reccommed rope or foam. Getting closer to making a choice Thanks
For lake sailing what oz. dacron fabric do you use. Each sail maker has their own ideas from 4.93 oz to 7 oz. On a C.D.I. roller furling does one work better than the other. As far as luff goes,, would you reccommed rope or foam. Getting closer to making a choice Thanks
Contact CDI
I have 5 oz. For the luff tape decision and how it effects the CDI, I'd read the manual (see link) or better yet, contact CDI directly to answer your questions. The owner always helped me when I contacted them. Real nice guy. I'm sure he could guide you on your quest. Good luck.
I have 5 oz. For the luff tape decision and how it effects the CDI, I'd read the manual (see link) or better yet, contact CDI directly to answer your questions. The owner always helped me when I contacted them. Real nice guy. I'm sure he could guide you on your quest. Good luck.
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