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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/11/2006 : 08:50:55

I currently have a 155 genny on my furler. On light air days on the lake, the 4.5 ounce dacron material seems a bit heavy. With all the wind shifts, I'm thinking a lighter material sail would give me better performance?

What say you lake sailors? What are you using?

Rick

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5891 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2006 : 10:14:18

Sails are designed to be used within a certain range of windspeeds. A 155% genoa is designed for use in light to moderate windspeeds, and 4.5 ounce sailcloth is a normal weight for a genoa of that size. When the wind becomes so light that it can no longer lift the weight of the 4.5 ounce sailcloth, then you should change to a headsail that is designed to be used in a lower windspeed range, such as a drifter or spinnaker. They are typically made of much lighter sailcloth, such as 1.5 ounce or .75 ounce, and it takes less wind to lift them.

Sails are also designed so that the draft of the sail is appropriate to the windspeed range in which they will be used. Sails that will be used in stronger winds are cut flatter, and those used in lighter winds are cut with a much deeper draft.

Your question suggests that you are thinking about getting a 155% genoa made of lighter sailcloth. If you do that, then you'll end up with a sail whose cloth weight is suited to light winds, but whose draft is more appropriate to stronger winds. Up to a point, it would work better in light winds than your current 155, but, if you're going to buy a new sail, you might as well get one that is designed to have the most efficient weight <u>and cut</u> for the purpose.

For daysailing shorthanded on a light-air day, a cruising (asymmetrical) spinnaker would be nice. For racing, a symmetrical spinnaker is the better choice.

If you don't have a light-air sail, you can stretch the lower windspeed range of a 155 by easing all the sail shaping controls, and putting as much crew weight as possible forward (approximately abeam of the mast, or perhaps just forward of it) and on the lee rail. The skipper should also move forward in the cockpit. If you can force the boat to heel far enough, gravity will cause the sail to hang in the curved shape that drives the boat, and the heavy sails will continue driving the boat as long as there's any wind at all. Also, heeling the boat in that manner will lift some of the stern out of the water, reducing the amount of the boat's wetted surface. That will reduce the amount of drag, and the boat will slip more easily through the water.

It takes about 5-6 crew to heel a 25' ballasted boat that far in light air, so, if you're trying to stretch the range of your 155, you need to go against your instincts and carry extra crew weight in light air. You only have two choices - either carry enough crew weight to heel the boat, or sit there, dead in the water.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 02/18/2006 10:18:34

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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1180 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2006 : 05:57:34

Thanks for the explanation Steve. Mostly I sail single handed, so you are on the mark about a smaller light air sail. Looks like there's a new foresail in my future.
Harry Pattirson also answered my question and differentiated between racing and pleasure sailing.They also make a 3.1 ounce 155 (it is a dacron/kevlar mix) for racing, but he also suggested a 140 for my "pleasure" sailing. I'll have to see what kind of sailing I really do this season. Last year, the racing had really fallen off due to lack of interest.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.