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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

A new Genoa

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Murray59
Deckhand

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Canada
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/09/2013 : 14:21:47

I would like to hear some opinions on a new 155% genoa for my 1982 Catalina 25 with swing keel. I use roller furling, we have a lot of light winds here in the summer, i do mostly cruising with a little bit of club racing. (phrf handicap, not enough Catalina 25's here to do class racing)I have a couple of quotes from North Sails, 1 for their 200 series and 1 for their 300 series. I think these are probably average sails, is there any reason to look at more exotic laminates?. Anyone else using these sails?
thanks

Murray Erickson
"winedown"
Catalina 25

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2013 : 15:46:12

If going with light cloth then you should also use light sheets. Avoid the Sunbrella sun shield because of weight, you can use a sacrificial thin Dacron for sun protection or skip it and use a sock. Most of us sail in enough wind that the furling 130 cut fairly flat so it can reef well in higher wind is our sail of choice. But for light air a 155 made out of light weight cloth will be great. Consider colored panels, the lighter cloths can be fun with colors. Don't forget a window in the foot, a 155 blocks a lot of view and a window can be a life saver. As for brand I don't think it matters much on a light wind sail for a Catalina 25, the more local the better just for the relationship.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2013 : 15:50:20

It depends on how serious you are about racing. If you want to be competitive, then you should have a genoa with a full, racing cut. A sail that is cut for cruising has less sail area, and for a sailboat, that's like trying to race with a 6 cylinder engine when everyone else has a v8.

You can't <u>furl</u> such a sail on a furler, but you can raise it in the same slot as your furler. A racing cut genoa has significantly more sail area than a furling genoa. The main drawback of such a sail is that you have to fold it and bag it when you're done sailing. You can't just roll it up with the furler, but I did just that for 23 years with mine, so, for me, it wasn't that big of a deal.

I love to race, and all the competitive boats that I race on have laminated racing sails, and it only takes a few minutes to fold and bag the sails.

You can get a racing cut genoa made of laminated cloth or dacron sailcloth. Either will ordinarily make the boat equally competitive. My sails were dacron, and I usually beat boats with laminated sails. Dacron sails must be trimmed a bit differently from laminated sails. Laminated sails don't stretch much, so dacron sails need to be constantly re-trimmed with any significant puff, to maintain the ideal sail shape. I should say that I never folded my dacron racing sails. I stuffed them in an oversized bag, and it didn't seem to hurt them at all. You can't do that with laminated sails.

Dacron sails will outlast laminated sails.

If you want to be competitive, but if you aren't willing to trade your third-born son for more boatspeed, I would suggest a racing cut dacron sail. If you are desperate for boatspeed, then a laminated sail will do it. If you aren't interested in racing, but just want to explore the lake and unwind from the travails of the workplace, a cruising genoa will work just fine. It's your boat, and your choice.

Edited by - on

Murray59
Deckhand

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Canada
4 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2013 : 05:55:51

Thanks guys, lots of good info there. I was definitely going to skip the sunbrella because the sail I have now is tough to fill in light air with the sunbrella being so heavy. I had planned on using a sock but after hearing what Steve said about a full "racing cut" sail, I am very intrigued. I really enjoy the racing, just have to weigh the pros and cons of not being able to furl a full racing cut genoa. Still do more cruising than racing, and my wife is more comfortable having the ability to furl when the wind does pipe up.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2013 : 09:12:55

Check out FX Sails, also. A friend of mine has a set on his Capri 26 (furling 150 headsail), and it works well for him.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2013 : 09:47:15

You might want to consider this before you purchase:

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=155362

Interesting observations.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2013 : 10:13:08

CD is offering 15% off their sails for a few weeks (got an email from them this morning)

Paul

Edited by - on

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2013 : 13:13:44

I had an old 150 and replaced it with a 135 from Island Planet. Cost was 625 and I am very pleased with it. Kj

Edited by - on

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2013 : 18:10:29

I contacted North Sail Direct yesterday about any discounts they offer to Associations and Clubs. They said they don't but would offer me Free Shipping on the 135% Genoa that I was interested in. Their price for the furled headsail is $715 which is pretty good. The similar CD sail by Ullman is $850 or so with the 15% Off. Your call. Does anyone use a North Sail Genoa or Ullman?

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2013 : 18:36:44

You should be in good shape with either one.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2013 : 04:50:41

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Does anyone use a North Sail Genoa or Ullman?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I purchased a new mainsail and a 135 genoa from North sails direct about 2 1/2 years ago. Pretty happy with them. I'm a cruiser and don't race though.

A few comments about the experience. It took about twice as long as they claimed to receive the sails. About 4 or 5 weeks, if I remember right. The 135 has adjustment lines for the foot and leach. The cam cleats for these lines are covered by a rectangular cover. These covers occasionally get hung up on the shrouds. Since I never make any adjustments to these lines, they are a slight annoyance. And lastly, the genoa is, like I said, about 2 1/2 years old. Some of the stitching on the sun cover has deteriorated already and I've had to make some small repairs. Soon I will send it to Sailcare, and after cleaning and repairs, it's going to get a sock cover. Keep in mind, my boat is in the sun 365 days a year.

Edited by - Davy J on 09/16/2013 04:51:50

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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.