Hello,
I have a Newport 23 that I want to re-rig with one roller fuling genoa in place of the Cutter rig. Can I make a roller furling genoa from a MacGregor 22 fit this fore triangle and be satisfactory? What would you reccomend ?
Oystah23
I would not recommend doing this. The mast on a cutter is stepped farther aft than on a sloop. You would be adversely affecting the balance of the boat. Also, the rig on the VN23 is designed with a severe amount of mast rake in keeping with the character of the boat. The sails are designed and balanced with this in mind. Modern conventional terminology (no. 1 genoa, no. 2 genoa, etc.) just doesn't work with this boat.
A well sailed VN23 with the original sail plan is MUCH faster than a V22 with a genoa. In fact, I have found that my VN23 will outsail all other Venture models (except the V21) and practically any other 22'-25' boat of the same vintage (mid 70s to early 80s.) If you just want to improve light air performance with a large drifter, that's one thing. But if your sailmaker wants you to replace your working sails with a genoa he obviously has no experience with the VN23.
If your reason for converting from the cutter rig is to make the boat "easier" to sail, note that handling two small headsails is actually easier than handling one large one. No winches are needed, and you can release or haul in both headsail sheets at the same time with one hand. You would also be giving up the versatility of sailing under just the staysail and reefed main in heavier air; a partially furled genoa will never set as well as a full staysail. If your staysail is rigged to be self-tending you never even have to touch the sheets when tacking.
Check out the Venture Newport 23 forum at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/venturenewport/
Be sure to check the Files and the Photos sections for lots of ideas. Several owners have fitted roller furlers to both the jib and the staysail. Some use a roller furler on the jib only and douse the staysail with a downhaul. And some leave everything as it was. As they say, "different ships, different long splices."
