Thanks, Jerry, but I'm pretty committed to the furler. My 135 has a variable thickness luff pad that helps it keep its shape when partially rolled. Would it be worthwhile to sheet the partially-rolled 135 to the cabin top? Sure would improve the sheeting angle. Are there any pictures around that I could use to locate the track? Thanks, Rick M17 #633 Lynne L On Mon, May 1, 2017 at 1:33 PM <jerry@jerrymontgomery.org> wrote:
maybe get a good, strong 110 lapper and sheet it to the cabin top. Also, get a good backstay adjuster to keep the jib luff straight. You can use a Sage BS adjustor ready made. Of course, this is assuming you're not married to the jib furler.
The sheeting angle of the smaller headsails is critical. I haven't looked at an M-17 for awhile, but you can probably find a good spot for the track just inside of the handrail. Be sure you measure the sheeting angle of the new track and tell the sailmaker.
-----Original Message----- From: STANLEY WHEATLEY Sent: Monday, May 01, 2017 8:35 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Racing in breezy conditions
Reefing the genoa adversely impacts the boat's ability to point but reefing the main does not. So, all other things being equal, reef the main first. A fully deployed 135, however, will be a handful in a 20 kt breeze. Hopefully you have some burly crew.
On April 30, 2017 at 9:41 AM Rick Davies <jdavies104@gmail.com> wrote:
GO, Jerry, and all the professional M17 racers out there, I need some advice. I sail my M17, Lynne L, in club races every Tuesday evening and occasional weekend regattas. I sail with a 135% genoa with a padded luff. Racing in the 15 - 20 kt wind range I find that I'm often overpowered if I keep both sails unreefed/unfurled, so I'm sailing a lot of the time with a luff in the main. I have the option to reef the main, which allows me to sail without depowering. A third option is to leave the main unreefed and take a few turns on the jib furler. The boat seems to sail pretty well under any of the three options, but it's hard to compare the performance of the three. Does anyone have any a priori opinions as to which, if any, is the best approach?
Thanks,
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L