I think a new main will make a lot more difference than a new jib, because it's such a greater fraction of the total sail area. Either a main or jib alone is fine downwind, but the boat won't point upwind properly unless you keep it balanced with a slight weather helm, so you will need both a deep reef point and a storm jib or reefing jib. I have an 85% jib and find that it's a bit oversized to balance a double reefed main, perhaps a 60% would be better. Still, I found that I could make progress to windward in a 26 knot headwind with this configuration. Tyler
On Mar 24, 2016, at 3:36 PM, Josh ua <jsheintz@gmail.com> wrote:
After a little browsing on the subject it seems obvious that this is a boat model specific question so I ask those with m15 experience: If a guy could only afford one new sail at a time for his M15, should he go for a working jib or main first for best performance in the higher wind days until he could afford the other half of the canvas? And for a perhaps related question: Do you ever sail with only one or the other - main or head? Which and why? Anyone have experience with a hank-on working jib with reef points for those double reefed main days? Would that be a frugal option for a storm jib or is that inviting too much strain on the working jib?...conditions are fresh water daysailing, not racing others but striving for maximum efficiency while under way in higher wind conditions. Basically I don't care how fast I can go, I just don't want to have to stay home when the wind is forecasted to climb above 15mph...whew! that escalated quickly, sorry for the long winded questions.