Single Handing with Genoa

jimmiebuchanan · #1 01-01-2008

I've been practicing single handing my Newport 27, but I have only been using the working jib. If you want to use a 150% Genoa is it acceptable to rely solely on the wind to push the sail over when tacking? I'm concerned about the Genoa getting caught up as it crosses over if there is nobody to help guide it. Is this even an issue? If it is, does anyone have a workaround? I don't want to find out it was a stupid idea when I'm out there by myself. Thanks.

AboardIndigo · #2 01-01-2008

I never guide or have somebody guide the genoa over. The wind is all that's needed to get it to the centerline and over in almost all cases.

Pulling it over before it's ready is when you're more likely to run into snags (or so I've been told).

sailingdog · #3 01-01-2008

The wind usually does a fine job of pushing it across.

tenuki · #4 01-01-2008

Switch to using a larkshead and single sheet. Add rollers to your forward stays. Then you should be fine. I don't have rollers and never have a problem.

deniseO30 · #5 01-01-2008

Don't use the Genoa in higher winds (shouldn't have to anyway) unless you have lots and lots of upper body strength! Also never let the sheets get away from you. I've run the sheets back to the cheek block then forward to the winch which gives them more cranking power and slows the lazy sheet from flying when coming about.

sailingdog · #6 01-01-2008

Define higher winds... we fly the full 150% genny up to about 20 knots. After that we usually tuck a reef into the genny.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deniseO30

Don't use the Genoa in higher winds (shouldn't have to anyway) unless you have lots and lots of upper body strength! Also never let the sheets get away from you. I've run the sheets back to the cheek block then forward to the winch which gives them more cranking power and slows the lazy sheet from flying when coming about.

swadiver · #7 01-01-2008

I have a 150 Genoa on my Catalina 30 that I singlehand most of the time. I let the wind bring it across and it works just fine, but as soon as it comes across I start sheeting in by hand. If you do it right that will minimize the winching you will have to do. The only time I have problems is if I get impatient and start sheeting in the new working sheet to early before the wind has broght it across.

jimmiebuchanan · #8 01-02-2008

Thanks to everyone for the advice. From the sound of it, I'll be just fine letting the wind take the genoa across for me. Now that it's been brought up, it is an interesting question at what wind speed to step down from the genoa... I would love to hear people's opinions.

tenuki · #9 01-02-2008

Jimmie, it's more a question of boat balance than some arbitrary windspeed. It will be individual to each boat.

Rather than reposting the same info.. Check this post out on the general idea of boat balance as it relates to main/genny. Basically how your tiller feels and what angle it's at can tell you that.

My R24 likes a reef in the main at about 15-18 knots of wind and I usually knock the genny down to around 130/125 at that point as well to give me back a little weather helm then I'm good to go till 25 knots or so at which point I'm desperately wishing I'd run up my working jib instead. hahaha.

However, conditions are very variable, so even for the same boat the reef times and amounts may vary. Pay attention to your tiller, boat and conditions rather than memorizing formulas.

blt2ski · #10 01-02-2008

Not sure if I can remember this completely and correct, but going by what tenuki mentioned. An article I saw on the V70 boats, one boat in 30-40 knot wind, had three sail sets they used, not only was the sail set based on wind, but also on wave size!. Granted we will not be in 30-40 vs 40-50 vs 50-60 ' waves in 30-40 knot winds, but the sail sets ie full mainsmaller jib vs reefed main/larger jib would be used in the same wind.

Some cases a full main and 110 will work as well as a reefed main and 142 as in my boat. Last saturday my sons and I went out, decided on the 142, got out a bit, wind was a bit more than expected. Slapped in a reef, and found ourselves the same speed as when the main and 110 was up in equal winds. but for the downwind run home, un reef the main with 142 up, a lot faster than the 110 main combo by 1+ knots. or about 20% of hull speed of 6.6 knots!

You will have to vary what sails are up according with practice.

marty