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PS37 genoa -- what size?

5841 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Lantau, Aug 23, 2015

Lantau

Discussion Starter · Mar 30, 2015

I'm getting ready to replace all of my sails. Currently I have what I think is a standard PS37 cutter setup by Ullman Sails, namely a main on battcars, staysail on roller furler, and 120% high-clew genoa on roller furler. It's easy just to get replacement sails from Ullman, but as I have gotten into this process I have been advised to do different things. One sailmaker wants me to extend the foot of my staysail. Another wants to lower the clew of my genoa to increase its size for light winds. Another wants to change the main. I'm not even mentioning the complications with installing a new sail on my current battcars (easy to do, hard to choose what to do).

What are those of you with the PS37/Crealock 37 using for sails? Right now I'm inclined to take the advice to enlarge the genoa a little bit. The PS sail plan for the boat includes a 130% genoa as one of the possible sails, so I think I should go for this at least. (I should point out that I'm calling mine 120% only because that's what US sails calls it. I haven't compared the measurements to get an exact percentage.)

Yesterday in 10-13 knot winds the boat was nicely balanced, but I started out in about 3-5 knots and a bigger genoa would have been nice to have. This boat was definitely designed for Force 4 (like most sailboats?); it's just perfect at those wind speeds -- such a pleasure. The boat sails itself. Less wind can be a tiny bit frustrating (passengers always want to go faster...), and more wind is also a pleasure but of course livelier as the wind picks up. In 20+ knots I'm usually on a reefed genoa and reefed main, so having a larger genoa wouldn't be any problem (it would be reefed down), assuming I have enough line on the roller furler. The benefit of the larger genoa would come in light winds.

Advice on the PS37 genoa (or sails generally)? Experiences?

If anyone wants to recommend a sailmaker, I'd welcome that, too -- but I think that opens a can of worms.

Many thanks.
Paul
2004 PS37

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niftynickers

· #2 · Mar 31, 2015

Paul,
In my opinion in order to decide what size Genny you should have depends to a great extent on what kind of sailing you intend to do.If you are going to cross oceans you need manageable sails that wont overpower you when things turn nasty (quickly).On the other hand for day sailing in fairly protected waters then larger sails are better.I relied on a sailmaker's recommendation when I replaced my genny and had a decksweeper 150% made not realizing that when trying to furl as the wind howled it would be a bear-and that its shape when partly furled is not the best.On a do- over I would opt for a high-cut Yankee genny and staysail combo for offshore work.
Of course I'm getting older and thus less adventurous.

goodluck,
Dianne and Chuck Burke S/V NiftyNickers C37 #139

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niftynickers

· #16 · Apr 4, 2015

I think that the gust of wind might have answered your question about which size genny to have on your boat.Sounds to me like you have the right sail combo right now.We all know that the boat can carry larger sails but to what advantage?Unless you are going to race her and have a crew of deck apes I suggest manageable sails for a less sporting day of sailing.Just my 2 cents.

good luck,
Dianne and Chuck Burke S/V NiftyNickers C37 #139

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