Racing Sails

[Dave]

I have a Catalina 27 and am looking at purchasing new racing sails. Am interested in folks comments on what they, or their fleets have that are proven "winners". Brand, fabric and cut would be most helpful. Also, is a 125 or a135 jib best when looking at a single jib purchase only?

 

[Bruce Harkness]

My experience

I purchased a Sobstad Genesis main, one of the "engineered sails" and specified a loose foot. I have a 160 Sobstad jib on a furler. On any day below 15 knots of wind, I can consistently beat boats that have PHRF of 175-185, not bad for a PHRF of 210. Downwind, I kill them. My wind conditions are mostly in the light range. On windier days I flatten out the main with the outhaul, downhaul and traveler, then furl in the jib as much as needed. I am still competitive with the 180 PHRF boats.

 

[Chris Bloor]

New Sails

Bob bought North Sails for the Mac races last year. We shopped and shopped and shopped and shopped -- every sailmaker at every boat show we could get to! I thought he was crazy! But he settled on North and has been extremely happy with them. He bought a loose-foot main, a 150% genoa, and an asymmetrical spinnaker from North. I found a symmetrical spinnaker in like-new condition at www.usedsails.com. I've recommended them before on this site -- they were a great help to me in choosing which sails were right for our boat and CHEAP! Well, sails for a 42-foot boat aren't cheap, even used, but you know what I mean. Anyway, it was an expensive summer, and he uses the new sails only for racing. We use the old ones for our crusing weekends. Although we do put the asymmetrical up once in awhile for fun...I don't understand the thrill of racing, I'm a true cruiser at heart. But I go along for the ride sometimes -- it is sailing after all! But good luck in your selection and your racing!Chris Bloor (and Bob Sheppard)s/v Great Escape IIIC-42 #372

 

[Jon]

2nd on Sobstad

I sail a Catalina 25, fin keel, tall rig, and have used a set of Sobstad Genesis for 5 Yrs. Full batten, loose footed main, and 150 jib. They were flatter than my old sails, but had more surface area, so a wider wind strength range. The best part was working with a good racing sailmaker. With the main I asked for 2nd set of reef points and was told I didn't need them due to low stretch in the material that wouldn't bag out in heavier winds and cause excessive heeling. He was right! With the full battens, I can luff the main slightly in the gusts without feeling like I'm damaging the sail. Loose foot gives very flexible control of lower shape which is important since you don't stretch this material for shape like Dacron. For slight extra downwind sail area, loose foot can hang below boom. Also was cut with larger roach, and longer leach for same reason, but the latter gave some boom droop. The jib is working well also. Since the boat was measured by the sailmaker, the jib is a true decksweeper, and the clew comes within one half inch of the block at full tension. Whew! The sails still have good shape, but I've had some small holes due to hanging up on hardware, but these have been repaired by myself with a clear sticky back material I got from the loft. I have a Dacron North 135% of the same vintage, which is a good sail also, but it is much heavier to hold good shape. I think many of my comments could apply to other sails or brands, but I am now a fan of non-Dacron if they have good shape. But I really think the choice of sailmaker is more important than the actual sail. The choice of 135% or 150% depends entirely on the predominate wind strength in your area.

 

[h.banick]

North 3DL

If you have the money why not go all out and drop the big bucks on North's top of the line, if not North has a company called Cruising Direct. They have a great racing sail for your needs. The sails are made by North in one of there lofts. Made with the same cloth by the same people. Good luck!