What size genoa for Seattle area?

[Jared1048]

Question 1: I've read that the 85 hunter 31' can use a 155% genoa?

Question 2: Does using only part of the sail when winds pickup strain the shape at all? I figure if I get a 155% I can only use what I need but I suspect there are trade off's by doing this.

Question 3: Any Hunter 31' owners in here using or have experience with the 155?

Question 4: Which loft would you recommend? I'm trying to decide between Fx Sails, HunterOwners.com (no bias here right? ) and Scott Sails.


Cheers!
-Jared

 

[Les]

Jared, First, I have not sailed the Hunter 31 (85). About that time I had a Hunter 40 and we only used the main and a jib. However, since then I've had a 35.5, a 32, and a 380. I had a 150 on the 35.5 and it made us slower in general. Again in the 380 there were several times I reefed the 110 in heavy weather and although it might not have been the best looking sail, it did the job.

Before I would buy a 155 genoa for the Seattle area I would talk to a sailmaker in this local. Sometimes another option could be available that you hadn't thought about. I've done this trick before, decided on something without seeing all the options.

My suggestion is to talk to Jim Kitchen in Lynnwood who is a Doyle outlet. He will come to your boat, measure, perhaps even go out with you. Web address is: http://www.doylesails.com/lofts/pugetsound/ There are many good sailmakers in the Seattle area and Jim is just one of them. However he knows sails and he has demonstrated to me that he will provide service. I had a major problem with my furling mainsail and he was the first to spot the problem.

IF you get a 155 genoa, be sure it is cut in such a way as to be reefed so that you can adjust your sheet blocks to maintain some sort of shape. You might want some taffeta up front so it will furl with a better shape but ask Jim (or another sailmaker) first.
He has the experience.

I wish you well.

 

[kloudie1]

1

 

[TR6]

Genoa

I sail an 86 H31 out of Point Roberts. It has a1 35 (foam luff) and an older 150. I race regularly and usually just use the 135 as |I haven't noticed any advantage from the 150 upwind. Downwind there's more area so there should be a bit of extra power. I've furled them both and the foam luff does improve the sail shape. As to size, I guess the biggest sail you can get is the best bet, as you say, you can always furl but I'd stongly advise the foam. One issue with a 155 is that if the foot is parallel to the deck you will likley run out of trimming room on the sail tracks so a high clew is a good idea.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Jared...

Unless you commonly sail in winds under 10 knots, having a 155 may not be an advantage. Having sat on the docks in Edmunds in the past, I would think a well made 135 would do you well for the wind conditions I've observed.