Rolling furling

[Freebird]

I will be adding an roller furling in the spring and I'm trying to decide between a 135 or 150 Genoa. I sail on a small lake with winds from none to 20 knot gusts. Is a 150 to much for a 23 ? I have been told that a 135 would hold sail shape better when reefed Thanks

 

[Alan]

The lighter the air the larger the headsail you should use. Your 23 can use a 150 genoa to great effect in light air. As a sail is rolled up its shape becomes less efficient. When it is furled in by 25 or 30 % its shape is no longer efficient for heavy air sailing. This means a 150 can be effectively furled to about a 105 but by this point it should be replaced by a smaller sail. A furled 150 is not nearly as effective as a 105% jib in sail shape or performance. The 135 is not as powerful a sail as the 150 in lighter air but when furled down by 30% it approaches a 95% jib. But for heavier air there is no substitute for a dedicated #3 headsail. I never furl my headsails. I use it throughout its effective wind range then switch down to the next smaller sail. I would suggest a 150 and a 100 will cover your entire sailing range without the need to reef any sail and still have great performance.

 

[ChrisM]

I have a 150 genoa on my H23 and 80% of the time I am sailing I have it out all the way. I have sailed with it partially furled in heavier air. I am seriously considering removing my roller furler and replacing it with a hanked-on head sail inventory. Probably a 150 genoa and like Alan said, a #3 headsail to start out. have any of you done this then regretted it?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Alan]

Chris, rather than loose your furler why not just get the #3 made with a luff tape to match the extrusion. That way you have the best of both and can furl either one at any time.
My furler even has a twin groove so I can do a sail peel. The advantage to that is you always have a headsail flying and when you drop the first sail it falls inside the other and always on deck.

 

[ChrisM]

Alan,
I was not aware that this could be done, I have a H23, are you sure it is available form my boat? Also, do you have a link to what I would need?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Alan]

I know for sure that ProFurl makes a twin grove system that will fit your boat. I have been using the ProFurl on my boat since day one with never a problem.

http://www.profurl.com/fiche-A|PROFURL|C260-0201010000000000-theme-UK.html

 

[C Jones]

Chris, My CDI has the twin groove set up, but it only has 1 halyard built in.

 

[Freebird]

Thanks Guys for all of the responses. One more question, Is it worth spending extra for a foam luff ?

 

[Alan]

A foam luff is used to try and help shape the sail that is partially reefed. As the sail is rolled in the cenetr of the sail becomes more full destroying the sails shape. The foam luff increases the amount of sail rolled in from the center out helping to maintain a semblance of shape. Note that any sail reefed more than 25 or 30% has lost any real shape and should be replaced with a smaller sail. Particularly in high winds where sail shaping is critical a roller furled genoa becomes a liability in maintaining its designed shape with or without the foam luff.