Maximum head sail

[Tired n Giddy]

Hi

I have just purchased a 2004 - 260 and was wondering what the maximum head sail size is possible.

The boat is a fractional sloop that does not have a rear stay, so I was wondering what impact that has on the head sail capacity.

Can anyone guide me or direct me to a trusted source?

thank you

 

[Alan]

T&G
The lack of a backstay has no affect on the size of headsail. The limiting factor is the base of the shrouds. Overlapping genoas are not effective on boats with chainplates on the rail. Your boat came with blocks mounted inboard of the shrouds on the coachroof which restricts the headsail size beating. However you could add an asymmetrical spinnaker to you sail inventory for dramatically improved off wind performance.

 

[Tired n Giddy]

Thanks Alan
What if I mounted blocks further aft along the cockpit and ran the lines outside the shrouds back to the blocks.????

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I have an asymmetrical spinnaker on my 260 and am happy with it. I would like to put it on a furler to allow quick and easy deployment.

I have a friend with a 260 that came with a 160 genoa when he bought it. They have a block mounted on the rubrail about halfway back to the cockpit for sheeting with blocks and cam cleats mounted on the pushpit. It is a 2002 boat and it looks like it has been on there for a long time, so someone liked it. I think he is going to buy a 110 sail to replace it.

With a bigger genoa the boat will probably not point as well and in light air the genoa will not work as well as the asymmetrical, as the air builds you will have to furl the genoa and without tracks sheeting becomes a problem.

I am very happy with the way the boat sails with the original jib. What is the reason for the genoa ?
Bob

 

[Alan]

T&G

You could do that but you would never be able to flatten the foot of the sail for upwind. You could only use that setup for reaching. You would be far better off with a spinnaker for that purpose.

Bob, a furler for a code zero spinnaker is a great idea. A code zero will allow you to go to weather in light air and then furl it and deploy the genoa as the wind builds or you need to sail higher. If you can put the furler on a sprit, so much the better. She'll look like a mini open 60!

 

[Brian M H23]

A big headsail, upwind, is a real PITA to tack, and the sail area will only help you out in very light winds if your blocks are positioned such that you can pull it taught - any "bag" and the light air effects are gone. Downwind, sure, the big sail can help, but again only with a pole and the ability to keep everything from floppin.

Remember, when the wind is light, rigid sails are fast.

 

[soling42]

T&G, I'd stick with the original 110% jib. Overall it'll be the most versatile.

Our 260's pulled out of the water for the broiling (and recently oiling) season down here so after 4yrs of coastal runs I had decided it was time to rig exactly what Alan described. Our orig jib points fairly well but if i'm running 30-40mi down the coast I could often use an A sail or a code zero that I could deploy from the cockpit on a sprit and single line furler. I'd get an A sail with a sleeve but I'd need to have somebody fwd to man it.

Open 60?? Only in my imagination The way my wife packs, one peek below and it looks like we're the supply ship for the pacific fleet.