When running a too short headsail on a roller furler you need to add a pennant to head above luff to avoid halyard wrap. Whats wrong with using a piece of halyard for this pennant? whats the benefit of using wire besides keeping the economy going? any thoughts?
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It's fine
In my case, I have a couple of feet of Spectra line the loft gave me for this purpose. I spliced a couple thimbles on the ends and leave it attached to the jib. Using the same type line as your halyards should be fine.
In my case, I have a couple of feet of Spectra line the loft gave me for this purpose. I spliced a couple thimbles on the ends and leave it attached to the jib. Using the same type line as your halyards should be fine.
Pennant attached to head or tack?
When raising my headsail (on a roller furler) I have added some line to the tack so that the head reaches the masthead. The advantages are that it works well, gets the sail up over the stantions and lifelines and increases the view from the cockpit (even makes it so that guests can lie on the foredeck under sail in mild conditions). Of course I'm giving up some performance since air more easily escapes out under the foot, but I wonder how much difference it makes? I'd like to hear thoughts from those of you who know more about sail trim, balance and such. My 130 genoa ends up with quite a bit of clearance, while the 150 has much less so.
When raising my headsail (on a roller furler) I have added some line to the tack so that the head reaches the masthead. The advantages are that it works well, gets the sail up over the stantions and lifelines and increases the view from the cockpit (even makes it so that guests can lie on the foredeck under sail in mild conditions). Of course I'm giving up some performance since air more easily escapes out under the foot, but I wonder how much difference it makes? I'd like to hear thoughts from those of you who know more about sail trim, balance and such. My 130 genoa ends up with quite a bit of clearance, while the 150 has much less so.
Pennant penance? 
Wire was preferred in the days of elastic rope. I would much prefer a nicely splice bit of spectra, next to no stretch and soft so it cannot damage the sail when furled. As far as top or bottom, it makes next to no difference. Getting the foot up off the deck has all the advantages mpaxman mentioned. Most furling genoas are cut with a high clew anyway, getting the tack close to the deck has little effect.
Wire was preferred in the days of elastic rope. I would much prefer a nicely splice bit of spectra, next to no stretch and soft so it cannot damage the sail when furled. As far as top or bottom, it makes next to no difference. Getting the foot up off the deck has all the advantages mpaxman mentioned. Most furling genoas are cut with a high clew anyway, getting the tack close to the deck has little effect.
Pennants
I, too, add a short wire pennant to the tack end of my genoa luff for all the reasons mentioned. A piece of stretchless line would work just as well and that is what I used with my previous furler. Another added benefit of adding the pennant to the tack rather than the head of the sail is that, when single handling the boat, it raises the foot of the sail enough to give me visibility to leeward that I would not have if the tack were lower. If this method results in some loss of performance, I really don't think it would be meaningful or as important as the added safety the increased visibility produces. Take care of yourself out there....
I, too, add a short wire pennant to the tack end of my genoa luff for all the reasons mentioned. A piece of stretchless line would work just as well and that is what I used with my previous furler. Another added benefit of adding the pennant to the tack rather than the head of the sail is that, when single handling the boat, it raises the foot of the sail enough to give me visibility to leeward that I would not have if the tack were lower. If this method results in some loss of performance, I really don't think it would be meaningful or as important as the added safety the increased visibility produces. Take care of yourself out there....
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