Staysail - Furler or hanks?

[Ilenart]

my boat is currently setup with a self tacking staysail which hanks on. I originally thought this was an ideal setup; in heavy weather you can furl the genoa and hank on the staysail and I am set for +30 knots winds. In +40 knot winds either heave too or drop the staysail and set the storm jib.

Now I am starting to wonder if the staysail on the furler might be a better idea? Still works in +30kt winds and +40kts you start furling. Plus this keeps people off the foredeck in 30-40kt winds - which me thinks is a good idea.

Any thoughts / experience with using a staysail on a furler?

Boat is a heavy 45ft cutter / ketch.

Ilenart

[JohnRPollard]

The way you have it set-up now conforms to the conventional, conservative wisdom.

But I personally would put mine on a furler. I have confidence in the furlers, and sized properly I would not have undue concern about jamming, etc (let's not forget that halyards can jam too.) By properly sized, I mean I would plus size the unit, probably going witht he same one used on the headsail despite the smaller sail area (this offers some parts redundancy too).

I would probably get a separate storm jib that can sleeve over the furled staysail.

Our staysail is on a furler, but it is a free-flying staysail intended more for mid-range conditions, not heavy air.

[Rockter]

On my olde heavy cutter, the staysail is rarely used, and only then used to weather.
I ended up taking it down in the end.
I think that a roller furl would be an expensive choice, given the limited use, for me, at least.

[bubb2]

I agree with everything that John said. I have experience with the Island Packet Self tacking stay sails which are on furlers. I think anything you can do to make reefing easier the better, because it will be used earlier and more often.

[Valiente]

I think a reefable staysail is the best option because it is one less thing to fail. A reefed staysail and a trysail is good to 60 knots, which even passagemakers might see once in their travels, assuming they sail to the predicted conditions and times of year. Furlers can either fail or become uncontrollable, leading to a shredded sail. They are a great convenience compared to hanks, but the cost is more UV exposure, mechanical complexity/further points of failure, a reduction in pointing ability and when reduced, an often sub-optimal sail shape. My instinct in a real blow would be to strip the forestay entirely and to stick with just the staysail, anyway.

Therefore, I would opt for what I already have: a furling yankee and a hanked-on staysail. Part of my argument is based on having the staysail stay quite far forward in the anchor well, an inherently more protected area in which to handle sail than a bare foredeck.

[sailingfool]

I'd say leave things the way you have it. Wanting the ability to reef a staysail seems to me looking for a risky solution to what have that works - your existing storm jib. In the same way you should not reef a 150% to half its size and expect it to hold up like a blade jib, I don't think you want to use a reefed staysail where you need a storm jib, a staysail will not have the construction or design to serve well, if at all in that use.

The only problem you'd slove, by buying another furler system, taping the luff of the staysail and buying a new gale sail, to having too much boat money looking to be spent.

[camaraderie]

My staysail is on a furler and it is easy to handle and reef and way safer than going on deck when the conditions demand using it. I would always have one done this way if budget permits.

[sailingdog]

IMHO, it depends on whether your boat is true cutter or a cutter-rigged sloop with a temporary/removable inner forestay. If it is a cutter with a permanent inner forestay, get the furler, otherwise get the hanked-on sail.

Since your boat is a cutter-ketch, get the furler. I'd highly recommend upgrading the furling line to something that can take storm level forces.

[Ilenart]

Thanks for all the replies. My feeling is a furler is the way to go, however the current budget definitely does not extend to a new furler. I'll add it to the list (the never ending list ).

Valiente, thanks for the idea of reefing the staysail. My current storm jib is out of action (someone must of put it away wet years ago and all the hanks are corroded) so setting this up to reef maybe a cost effective alternative.

Ilenart

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by Ilenart

Thanks for all the replies. My feeling is a furler is the way to go, however the current budget definitely does not extend to a new furler. I'll add it to the list (the never ending list ).

Valiente, thanks for the idea of reefing the staysail. My current storm jib is out of action (someone must of put it away wet years ago and all the hanks are corroded) so setting this up to reef maybe a cost effective alternative.

Ilenart

Yeech...you you really think the storm jib is constructed just like the staysail, only half the size??? Furl half the staysail and you have a storm jib? I don't think a furled staysail will live up to the load expected for a storm jib.