Craig, I'm no expert on sails, but I believe the rule of thumb is that you can furl a properly built sail down 30% and still have efficient sail shape. I've had better luck than that, probably going down 50% and still having what I consider satisfactory performance. Racers in the group might not agree. My experience is strictly with my own boat and I find the convenience well worth any performance I might be giving up in stronger winds. I've had good success going to wind in some rough conditions when others had to motor to make any progress, so it must be working fairly well. Larry On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 12:36:44 -0400 "Craig F. Honshell" <chonshell@ia4u.net> writes:
Would 155% be too hard to reef to a very small size, Larry (or anyone)? I need a new genny ... I had my 110% modified to fit my CDI (Gilbert I have no idea whether I have FF1 or FF2, and don't know whether I have the webbing or grommet??? I bought it used, salvaged from a totaled Hunter, and had it set up by a local sailmaker ...), so it's even smaller than 110% now ... I have a sadly underpowered 17' with a tiny genoa and blown-out McKibbon main ... But I like the fact that I can size the current foresail to a postage-stamp on dicey days ... Would I still be able to do so if I had a 155%? Thanks, Craig
----- Original Message ----- From: Larry E Yake To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Friday, April 29, 2005 10:31 AM Subject: roller furling
I have a 150 genoa with luff tape to retain sail shape when partially furled. I've used it down to 90% and smaller and it still works well. You need to adjust your sheet blocks forward as you furl, of course. I'm in eastern Washington. Sail mostly in north Idaho with the occasional trip to the west side... San Juans, etc. Lots of light wind areas. The 150 really brings the boat to life. Larry _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats