Headsail sheet - general length questions

[britcoal]

I just realized that I can't find the two sheets for the 150 genny on my boat.. As it is new to me I'm not sure what length I need. I'm sure I could over-estimate but I'd rather have just the right amount over too much.

It is a 36' ketch with the winches about 10 feet forward of the transom. I was at the marine store and came close to just getting 40' but I thought I'd ask her first. Are there any quick formulas people use to guesstimate length for these sorts of lines (and all the others)?

Thanks!

[RichH]

The length of the foot of the sail PLUS the distance from the headstay (through the fairlead) to the winch plus about 6-7 ft.

That measurement will allow you to gybe the genoa in FRONT ('out and around') of the boat. The 'traditional' rule is twice the LOA of the boat ... but then you wind up with too much / excess 'tail' in the cockpit.

[pigslo]

Roller furling... roll up the genny with a small line and 2 or 3 wraps, lead through the track and around the winches, add a few feet.
pigslo

[US25]

Headsail sheet should be 1-1/2 boat lengths. 40ft boat = 60ft sheet, (according to the Harken website)

[Giulietta]

Those "rules of thumb" are general....

I'll let you know how I measusre mine.

I get the longest genoa and hoist it. I sheet it to one side, then I measure the distance form the clew, forward of where it has to pass, either a mast or a stay (if we are measuring the front most sail), then form that point to the genoa track car, then to the winch...

I then add 3 meters or 9 feet. There's you sign!!!!

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

Those "rules of thumb" are general....

I'll let you know how I measusre mine.

I get the longest genoa and hoist it. I sheet it to one side, then I measure the distance form the clew, forward of where it has to pass, either a mast or a stay (if we are measuring the front most sail), then form that point to the genoa track car, then to the winch...

I then add 3 meters or 9 feet. There's you sign!!!!

Yes, what he wrote, but make sure your is 3.01 meters so you can say yours is bigger than the Portugese. Whatever you do don't make it smaller.

- CD

[britcoal]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

.. make sure your is 3.01 meters so you can say yours is bigger than the Portugese.

Certainly! (Then again, by the time I'm done he can probably say his wallet is at least bigger)..