Earlier this summer I bought a second hand Gale Sail for less than $400. The sail was brand new when I got it, the guy had only had it out of the bag once to look at it. I wanted one because my 150% genoa needs to be replaced but I just can't afford a new headsail right now so I bought this for the times when the wind pipes up over 20 knots and I start to feel overpowered (not a gale, but heavy enough). Like most headsails, mine loses any shape with a couple of rolls on the furler so the Gale Sail seemed a good compromise.
I love this sail! I've used it many times this summer, we've had an unusually windy summer. This past weekend, I sailed in my first solo distance race and the trip home saw sustained 25 knots and six foot seas. I started with a double reefed main and the full 150% genoa which was good for a wild ride. I decided to furl the headsail and put up the Gale Sail to settle things down a bit. The boat immediately stood up tall and still reached along at 7+ knots. Very comfortable! Once back into the islands where I normally sail, the wind was still over 20 and often over 25, I found I was able to beat into the wind with the same tacking angles as with my full headsail. Even beating into the wind I was making 6 knots. This was my first real test with this sail and I couldn't be more happy with it.
I love this sail! I've used it many times this summer, we've had an unusually windy summer. This past weekend, I sailed in my first solo distance race and the trip home saw sustained 25 knots and six foot seas. I started with a double reefed main and the full 150% genoa which was good for a wild ride. I decided to furl the headsail and put up the Gale Sail to settle things down a bit. The boat immediately stood up tall and still reached along at 7+ knots. Very comfortable! Once back into the islands where I normally sail, the wind was still over 20 and often over 25, I found I was able to beat into the wind with the same tacking angles as with my full headsail. Even beating into the wind I was making 6 knots. This was my first real test with this sail and I couldn't be more happy with it.
