response
Dick; The placement of the shrouds on the sides present some problems when you add a larger jib or genoa. With a larger genoa, you will have to run the sheets outward of the shrouds while your current jib sheets run inward. You will not be able to pull or sheet a larger jib in close with the sheets outside of the shrouds. I have advocated a cruising spinnaker in lighter winds. In 1-3 knots of wind, I have always felt many boats bob around but on the older 26, it would still move. I have been known to take a stock 26 against a fleet of J 24's flying spinnakers and still leave them behind. What many folks do not realize, there are many factors to making a boat fast. These include the condition of the boat, knowledge of sailing and the boat by the skipper, Knowledge of the crew to sailing and the boat too, knowledge of your sailing area and of course the boat design too. I know of a 1975 O'DAy 25 whiuch on paper is a slug, but the owner has everything going for him and he wins races without correected time. To answer your question, I have never put a larger genoa on the 26. If Butch Bertarm is reading this, how about your thoughts on the issue Butch. It is always good to get differnet views. Crazy Dave Condon
