new sails

[jeff]

i have just purchased a 1987 hunter 31. i am in need of new sails. im concidering a 155 genoa with foam luff pads. the boat (mischief) came with a 110 genoa.  is a 155 too much sail?? i havent sailed mischief yet so i dont know what to expect. any advise is appriciated.

 

[Steve Dion]

Recent post on this subject.

Jeff:There was a post earlier this week on this exact subject. I personally think that a 155 is way to big of a sail for a furler. I would not go with anything larger than about 120-130 on these boats. They are fairly tender to begin with. If you are looking for down wind performance think about a cruising spin, drifter etc.You can get some big winds on the Great Lakes so having this furled down is going to make some very poor sail shape.If Don Gillett is monitoring this post, he can probably give you some 'expert advice' on this subject.

 

[jeff]

oops

steve im a littel embarsed that i did not read the forum first this time and now i see what is below me!!! ho well. thanks for the response. i thought that the foam luff pads were intended to help the sail shape when furled??

 

[Rod Leonard]

155%

I wouldn't have that boat with out a 155% I used to have a 31 and the first thing I did was buy a 155 sail for it. In this area you will sail with it 80-85% full out. If it looses shape when furled who cares. Unless your racing the boat and looking for performance. That boat loves to sail in 12-18 knots of air. How many day's do we get more than that here in the great lakes? See Ya!

 

[Tom Madura]

155 roller furler

I have yet to see ANY partially furled sail with a good shape. I do JAM racing with my '85 Hunter 31 and I use the 155 and full main up to about 12 knots. Above that I reef the main and still use the full headsail. For cruising, if it's blowing 15+ I just drop the main and sail on the full jib alone. We crossed Lake Erie (42 miles) in a race last summer in 20 knots with full main and full 155 genoa and had a great ride! My arms were a little tired though because my wife won't drive in thatr kind of breeze! I say go for the 155. You won't regret it.Tom Maduras/v "Good Vices"

 

[Jim McClung]

The 110

I have just motorsailed and sailed my 31 from Norfolk to Key Largo. The 110 is the best tool I have aboard. The 155 is not a sail eaisly controlled in close quarters. I have sailed at 5 knots downwind with 20 percent of the 110 in the air and felt in controled. I have rounded up twice in big gusts with the 155. jim