A really stupid question

[PaulinVictoria]

Now, this is obviously going to get me laughed off the forum as even people's grannies could probably tell me the right answer, but I can put up with the ridicule so I'm going to go ahead and ask it anyway.
So.. up until now I've only been sailing on an almost brand new boat, which in keeping with modern sailing theories has a large square topped main and a relatively small foresail (maybe 110% at most?). Seeing as I can't afford an almost brand new boat and will be getting something of a slightly more "classic" vintage, it's going to be the opposite with a small main and probably a 130 or 150% foresail. Are there any differences in how to sail them, I'm thinking particularly about tacking and gybing the foresail?

[Freshbreeze]

The problem i find with my genoa is the sheets (bent on using bowlines) keep on catching the shrouds and occasionally the tackle at the mast base or even the boom!

Maybe the problem could be solved using a single sheet? - this may be relevent. any advice guys and gals?

[Faster]

Tacking the larger foresail (if you're flying the "150") is more work, potentially more likely to hang up on the rig somewhere. The 244 (and her predecessors) avoided that by designing a large main and specifying just the one headsail size.

There are trim differences because the main and genoa interact a bit differently with the large overlap... but essentially otherwise it's very similar in terms of how things work.

Hangups can be avoided by certain techniques, putting rollers/covers on stays that cause problems, smaller knots,and/or letting the sail backwind a bit to promote the sail "blowing" through the foretriangle more readily.

[CalebD]

Paul,
Hull shape will have a lot to do with how a boat will come about into the wind almost as much as the sails. Every boat is a different set of compromises; some sail like dinghies while others sail like full keelers, like my boat which is slow (but forgiving) to come into the wind. Yes, the standing rigging and sails make a difference too but my point is more that it is one boat at a time as you could take a lifetime learning about all the different rigs.
Examples of specific boats you have been sailing and boats you might consider owning might stimulate this conversation.
I wouldn't laugh at your Grandma unless she looked funny.

Freshbreeze,
The way you have your genoa sheets rigged seems to be accepted as the best and safest way to do this (2 lines, 2 bowlines in the clew). It is the safest way to rig the genny because if 1 sheet breaks you still have the other which may or may not be true with 1 continuous sheet. It is best because people say it is so.
That said, we use a knot which is essentially a double lined half hitch for the clew a single line for both sheets. It rarely hangs up on our shrouds but this may vary from rig to rig.
Try using a single sheet and see if it helps.

[PaulinVictoria]

The C&C I'm looking at has a freakin' huge 180, a smaller 150 and a storm. I think I might be sailing with the little storm hankie for a while if I get it.

[Faster]

A 180 is not a very practical sail, the 150 will do you for a lot of island cruising. Ideally you might like a 120-135 as a versatile compromise eventually.

Trying to sail the boat in light airs with a 'storm'jib will just be frustrating. Most likely, though, it'll be a 100% working jib.

[sailingdog]

Again, it depends on where you're sailing. In some areas, like Buzzards Bay, where the afternoon breezes regularly break 20 knots... a 180% genny is ludicrous... but in areas where the winds are typically much lighter it might be a choice. Personally, I'd rather go with a smaller genny, say a 135% and get an asym for lighter air.

[Freshbreeze]

CalebD,

Thanks for the reply! I have always gone for double sheets as described for saftey reasons. I also carry spare lines on-board that could be used as 'back-up lines'. Better start a new thread on this!

Thanks

[puddinlegs]

Originally Posted by PaulinVictoria

The C&C I'm looking at has a freakin' huge 180, a smaller 150 and a storm. I think I might be sailing with the little storm hankie for a while if I get it.

Paul,
Go pick up or check out a copy of Bob Perry's book. In explaining his own designs, there's a lot of great info about hull forms, sail plans, how race rules from different eras influenced all the above. It will answer many of your questions.

Yacht Design According to Perry: My Boats and What Shaped Them

(Your C&C will fall under the category of IOR rule influenced boats.)

[Capttman]

Does the new boat have a roller furling system? that may make it easier for you to sail. The principles of sailing is the same, balancing the helm may be a bit different. Good luck and have fun with the new classic..