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.
Hello forum members. I have a 1988 c-25, SR, swing keel, pop top. I want to teplace the existing jib,conventioanal size that is on a roller furler, with a 150% genoa hank on style. I got the 150% genoa from a 1977 c-25 with s/r. According to the local sail shop, its $110 to convert the genoa to a furler system. My questions are: 1. am I going to have any problems handling the 150% genoa sailig by my self? (I sail solo), and as I mentioned it is going to be on a roller furler). 2. Is there really a big advantage switching to a larger jib? ( I sail along the Texas coast). thank you.
Large sail area will help you in light to moderate winds. It will be detrimental in stronger winds, because a big sail will generate more power than you can use efficiently in strong winds, and because, in light air a big sail snags on the shrouds when you tack, but, with a furler, you can reduce it's area and thereby remedy both of those detriments.
When you tack in light air, you can roll up some of the jib and it won't snag on the shrouds. After you complete the tack, you can unroll the rest of the jib and get the benefit of the full sail area to drive the boat.
I have never sailed the Texas Gulf Coast, but, if it's anything like the Florida Gulf Coast, you'll be sailing in light air frequently in the hotter months, and you'll appreciate the bigger sail.
IMO, the answers to your questions are "(1) no" and "(2) yes."
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind" previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22 Past Commodore
For the 1st time in some 28 years I have to disagree with Steve (May Poseidon forgive me!). Most of the time on the central Texas ooast (Port Aransas, Rockport) the wind is pretty steady in the teens or even low 20's. Many of the racers there don't even have an O/B as the wind is consistent enough to sail in & out of the marinas. Having sailed that area many times I would not want anything bigger that a 135% and many times just a 110% (and I did all my sailing there on a 50' catamaran).
Derek Crawford Chief Measurer C25-250 2008 Previous owner of "This Side UP" 1981 C-25 TR/FK #2262 Used to have an '89 C22 #9483, "Downsized" San Antonio, Texas
Guys, thank you for the input. I think I am going to try the bigger genoa. If its to much for me, I can always switch back to the smaller one. My understanding its not that hard to change between sails with roller furler. Maybe a little bit work, but its a learning experience.
The 150 works fine on my boat on my furler. It is very easy to handle, even in gusts if you use the purchase of the cleat on the line in a smart way.
It's a lot of fun in a run in heavy winds, but you have to be careful. Easy to pull the sail in though if you start to have problems.
I haven't sailed with a smaller sail on this boat, but my harken furler is really easy to slide the sail into. There's just a groove that the sail slides up, super simple.
I'll just point out that Ryan (odonnellryanc) is less than half your age. For some of us, our opinions on burying the rail change as we "mature"...
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
I said, "some of us"... I've graduated to windshield wipers to clear the white-water when I'm crashing through big chop, a hardtop over the helm, an electric windlass to haul the anchor, and a V-6 to get me outa there. Now I need some new knees...
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
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.