I chartered a Beneteau 320 last week. It was blowing 35+ knots.
I put one reef in the main and 1/3 of the headsail up on the furler.
The boat felt very balanced at no stage did I round up and the weather helm was never too much. If anything I was probably underpowered but as I was taking my family out for the first time this felt very comfortable.
I have done a lot of costal and inshore racing in these conditions (although never as the helmsman) so I was no stranger to these conditions. However this was the first time I've ever used a furler. I found that reducing my Genoa area resulted in an inability to point as close. I assume this is due to the change in sail shape.
Throughout the afternoon we saw many other yachts and most (if not all of them) had either completely lowered the main or completely lowered the Genoa.
Under what conditions or even types of boats would you only sail on the Genoa or only sail on the main? And does this put uneven stresses on the rig? I would of thought that not balancing the rig would possibly be worse for it.
I guess I am trying to understand the best option as while racing we have always put up a smaller Genoa and then reefed the main.
Thanks
I put one reef in the main and 1/3 of the headsail up on the furler.
The boat felt very balanced at no stage did I round up and the weather helm was never too much. If anything I was probably underpowered but as I was taking my family out for the first time this felt very comfortable.
I have done a lot of costal and inshore racing in these conditions (although never as the helmsman) so I was no stranger to these conditions. However this was the first time I've ever used a furler. I found that reducing my Genoa area resulted in an inability to point as close. I assume this is due to the change in sail shape.
Throughout the afternoon we saw many other yachts and most (if not all of them) had either completely lowered the main or completely lowered the Genoa.
Under what conditions or even types of boats would you only sail on the Genoa or only sail on the main? And does this put uneven stresses on the rig? I would of thought that not balancing the rig would possibly be worse for it.
I guess I am trying to understand the best option as while racing we have always put up a smaller Genoa and then reefed the main.
Thanks