genoa only
went out today in steady 10+ knot winds with flukey gusts...I decided to sail on the genoa only (a 135 genoa on a Catalina 30 masthead rig). I was suprised at how well the boat sailed and the speed. The boat pointed well and sailing was very easy (almost lazy) with mostly with a neutral helm.
I was also surprised to have weather helm in the gusts while on a close reach. In the gusts, I was only at 12* of heel. Does this surprise any of the experts here? I understand the benefit of weather helm, I was just suprised to still experience it even with the COE so much more forward.
I have sailed on the main only, but found the genoa only to be much faster.
went out today in steady 10+ knot winds with flukey gusts...I decided to sail on the genoa only (a 135 genoa on a Catalina 30 masthead rig). I was suprised at how well the boat sailed and the speed. The boat pointed well and sailing was very easy (almost lazy) with mostly with a neutral helm.
I was also surprised to have weather helm in the gusts while on a close reach. In the gusts, I was only at 12* of heel. Does this surprise any of the experts here? I understand the benefit of weather helm, I was just suprised to still experience it even with the COE so much more forward.
I have sailed on the main only, but found the genoa only to be much faster.