Most Frequently Used Jib?

[dacap06]

Fellow sailors, I have a question for those of you who have a number of head sails from which to choose.

Here's the background. When I bought T.B. three years ago, she came equipped with a 155% Genoa on the furler and a standard main sail. The Genoa is very nice for Summer sailing in the Chesapeake where the winds are usually less than 10 Kts but is a long way from ideal for the more vigorous winds of Spring and Autumn. I have to roll so much of it in that it spoils the shape, and the big cylinder at the furl make a terrible leading edge for an air foil.

Now I am in a position to buy another head sail and am debating what to get. I am thinking perhaps 120%, or maybe 125%, thinking I can furl the current head sail down to about that size effectively and then switch, but I am guessing. So what is your advice? What head sail size do you use most often, or find most useful? In what winds speeds do you use it?

Thanks,

Tom

[tommays]

On the Cal 29 i have a 150 and i cant say exactly what size it furls down to BUT between it and a reefed main it is fine well into sustained 25 knots plus

At least on the Cal 29 reefing both sails keeps the helm very neutral and as the wind speed picks up there is plenty of power to point as if i dont reef the main i just have to let it dump wind anyway

[JimsCAL]

Most mid-sized cruising boats are fitted with 135% genny. This provides decent light air performance and can be reefed to about the size of a 100% jib before it starts loosing shape. Since you are buying a second headsail, a 110 to 120 sounds about right for what you want. If you were proposing a second for more extended cruising in possibly strong winds, I would go smaller.

[svHyLyte]

Our headsail inventory is quite extensive, from a light No#1 to a No#4 (155% light to 80% heavy) plus storm sails. As a practical matter however we usually rely on our medium weight 135, which with a few turns of the furler, is useful over a fairly wide range of wind. A friend with the same yacht we have has a 120 that has served him well from here--Tampa Bay--to Nanny Cay in the BVI, and which, in hindsight, is/was probably better choice. Unless you're racing, a large overlapping headsail doesn't have that much to recommend it.

FWIW...

[beanctr56]

A 135 is a nice all around sail.

Rick

[ramminjammin]

I use a # 3 jib most times


I can use it in steady 20 knots of wind with gusts to 30 ; in 10 to 15 knots it is reasonable ( We are not racing)

[Tbrad]

I agree with Tom, I use a 150 and sail in the PW. If the wind gets up over 40 knots...I'm not usually out there anyhow.

[BubbleheadMd]

In the Chesapeake, where the summer breezes are so light, a 150% or bigger is my go-to, but when during the spring and fall, when the breezes are much stronger, a 100% with maybe a reef is my standard choice.

[blt2ski]

I'd go with a new blade in the 100-110 range, maybe to 120. IE do as you say, use the 150 in the lighter stuff, roll a bit, reef the main, then if it is still blowing, put the smaller one on.

I do not have RF, but do have a 155 -used racing, 140 -daysail cruise sail, 130 drifter -really light wind race sail, 110 - used when ever over 20 knots, and a storm jib.

Marty

[Faster]

Keeping to the KISS principle, we have a relatively large main and only have a 100% jib on a furler... unless it's under 6knots true, we can move OK upwind... Not racing so if it's too light we'd be chugging.

Tacks are easy and quick, our only decisions are: sail, or not? and then reef or not?