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Anyone Use a 75% Jib?

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HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/26/2009 : 10:00:30

Anyone use a 75% jib? Is it worth getting one? I enjoy going out and practicing in 'adverse conditions', to gain more sailing experience and become more proficient. Was wonder if the C-25 can sail pretty well in the higher winds, or you just end up getting blown around? I was looking at getting a C-22 110 jib off ebay or something, they are about 70% the sail area of a C-25 110 jib. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Patrick Moran
1981 SR/SK w/trailer
#2303 - "Chili Mas"
Lincoln, NE

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2009 : 10:23:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by HeelinPatrick
 
Anyone use a 75% jib? Is it worth getting one? I enjoy going out and practicing in 'adverse conditions', to gain more sailing experience and become more proficient. Was wonder if the C-25 can sail pretty well in the higher winds, or you just end up getting blown around? I was looking at getting a C-22 110 jib off ebay or something, they are about 70% the sail area of a C-25 110 jib. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Years ago, I bought a storm jib for my C 25. In about 20 years, I only used it twice. It didn't save my bacon. I wasn't caught in a storm, where I needed the storm jib to survive. I was just sailing for fun in high winds. It was fun on those two occasions, but it wasn't worth what it cost. If the price is right, buy it, but you aren't likely to use it often. Also, the C22 110 might be cut too full and the sailcloth might be too light to perform really well in high winds.

I always thought the C25 generally performs well in all conditions, if you trim the sails, tune the rig and sail it well. The swing keel boat sails as well as, or better than, the other types of keel, but it isn't a boat for big seas and high winds (especially big seas). The swing keel can't tolerate a roll-over, which is only likely to happen in big seas.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 01/26/2009 10:32:58

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2009 : 10:49:42

We bought one on the swap meet here. I just threw out the "reciept" email this past week. We used it once last season. I was amazed that we were doing 5.5 kts with it on a broad reach/beam reach from Jackson's Point down to Cook's Bay on our last cruise of the season.

Dead downwind it is a joke to even try to use it. (We dropped down to 2 kts.) I did have to point with it a little to try and clear the point by the marina (the POINT at Jackson's Point). It performed well and got us up to speed but took a while.

The real value of the sail was this though - my wife loves sailing with it. I feel like I'm on a hobbled horse, but to her it is a smooth ride. The boat stands upright, and rides nicely over the waves without pounding into them. In fact without any reef in the sails we were making our way through with waves in the 4-5 foot range, with whitecaps, and Iris was as calm as could be.

When we pulled into the Marina, the rescue squad was getting into their RIB and I joked with them that nothing was out there to rescue since it was just a nice day, and they laughed - apparently another sailboat was out and had been blown over losing a crew member. We had been out with the baby aboard. Herself proclaimed it the nicest sail of the season, and the only one where she had felt totally relaxed. She had never really enjoyed being on the boat before that.

I say get one and try it. If you don't like it, stow it for when you have uneasy crew and good wind. At least you'lol still be able to get out of the harbour.

Edited by - Prospector on 01/26/2009 11:27:53

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2009 : 11:35:28

I have a 60% storm jib that is also about 1/2 the length of the forestay - so very small. I have it in case I get caught out in very bad conditions. That and a double reefed main should get me home in just about anything.

I've used it twice sailing around the harbor in about 30 knots.

I feel that a stock 110 and a double reefed main is small enough for just about anything you'll ever see. You start getting to the point where you could drop one of the sails.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2009 : 13:10:06

I sold Jim his 60% storm jib only because I went to a furled headsail system. I got the sail as a "condition of sale" on my new C-25. It was a sweet deal. I used the sail a few times with much the same results as Prospector and Jim. Unless you plan on cruising for extended periods though, it may not be worth the expense, although a cut-down 110 might be worth while. A true storm sail will have heavier cloth and more robust seams.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2009 : 13:36:37

We bought a 70% Rolly Tasker for much the same reason as Chris (Propector), my wife hates to heel. So far we've only used it once, and that was right after we got it, simply to see how the boat sailed with it. We try not to go into bad weather, but it's nice to know it's there if we get caught out.

It was around $260 shipped I think?

I've found that on a beam or broad reach, I can sail on the 110 alone (no main) at hull speed all day long in about 10kn of wind. This is calm enough that Rita will fall asleep curled up in the cockpit, or feel comfortable reading a book or whatever, instead of clinging on for dear life when we're heeled over. I may not always be going as fast as I'd like, but I'm out sailing and both of us are having a good time, which is the point of the drill.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2009 : 18:56:36

I have a storm Jib and have never used it. I agree with Steve, that a well tuned sailboat -- all tools for trimming sail -- gives one a high degree of control.

If you want to get used to sailing in all different wind conditions, sail on days that are mild, and work your way up to days where there's is more wind. Sometimes you can sail in the middle of a body of water, and then in a bay -- land protect area, to get a feel for the manner your boat handles in different wind conditions.

Deric

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2009 : 21:00:23

I bought mine used and a good price as I too try to keep the boat upright and when cruising the NW I have had several occasions when it really was needed. I have had good luck with a reefed main too so it gives me a choice.

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HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2009 : 10:25:36

Sounds like although sometimes limited use for one, can be useful at times, or for certian crews :) Thanks for the info everyone, off to the swap meet forum to try to find one...

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2009 : 12:44:49

Check Ebay too.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2009 : 13:10:28

Patrick,
You might check out Craigslist in the Seattle/Vancouver/Portland area. I see storm jibs all the time in the Seattle one. Frequently they're just listed by their sizes, so it'll pay to do your homework so you know dimensions of what you're looking for.

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josgood
1st Mate

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USA
57 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2009 : 20:44:13

with a furler up front, how close to the storm jib (75) can you get a 135 and have it perform "as well"? 90??

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2009 : 08:02:52

My present boat has a 140% on a furler, and, while I have had it deeply furled in stormy weather on the Bay, I haven't sailed it in a serious storm yet. Based on that, I think it'll be nearly as efficient as a storm jib, but, in a long, severe storm, it won't be as rugged as a storm jib. But, you should never be caught so far offshore in your C25 as to be in a 3 day storm. If you're caught in a storm in a bay or on a lake, or while near coastal cruising, the deeply furled 135 jib should serve as well as a storm jib. Hanked-on jibs are more efficient than roller furled jibs, but given the choice between crawling to the bow in a severe storm to change jibs, and rolling up the jib a bit, I'll take the latter choice.

If I was crossing an ocean, I'd have a furling jib made for that purpose. It'd be heavier sailcloth than what I have for sailing on the Bay, and the triangle at the clew would be heavier built, and have chafing leather added.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2009 : 09:01:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by josgood
 with a furler up front, how close to the storm jib (75) can you get a 135 and have it perform "as well"? 90??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It's been my experience that the furler can be rolled up a little bit without degrading performance appreciably and is somewhat functional when only a flat handkerchief of the sail is exposed, but in that middle range, overall performance is mostly horrid.

Functionality of a partially furled sail depends on a number of factors. Is the genoa more of a decksweeper or does it have an ultra high cut clew? Does it have a foam/rope luff or a traditional luff? Is the genoa cut fuller or flatter? Even sheet lead angles and track car position can have an impact.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2009 : 09:22:05

The biggest challenges we face when sailing with the storm jib is moving th eGenny cars far enough forward. Especially if you are out in conditions that REALLY warrant using the Storm Jib, you will find that sliding those things forward while the boat pitches and rolls can be a challenge. We have done sail changes down to the storm jib, and by th etime the jib was up, my foredeck crew was ready to kill me.

Makes you glad you have Lifelines.

Edited by - Prospector on 01/30/2009 09:22:19

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2009 : 11:47:53

I have a storm jib (60% ?) and I've tried it a few times alone and with a reefed main.

For an overnighter on the boat, my friend and I headed out of my marina to an anchorage about 3 miles away on Friday, October 20, 2006, with winds howling, in the in 30-35 knot range. With the storm jib alone on a dead run we sailed calmly at a comfortable 5 knots right to our destination. That was a surprise.

And I was about to hoist it on my "6 1/2 lighthouse" (Cruising Forum) trip last November in 25-30 knot winds and 3 foot seas when the rudder snapped and ended that trip.

If your sailing venue has unpredictable weather or you often sail in strong winds, you might get some use out of a storm jib. But roller furling does all that a tiny jib does, I suppose, and is more convenient, too, unless you're racing.

Edited by - JohnP on 02/02/2009 11:49:03

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2009 : 13:46:47

Don't have a storm Jib, but as we have a furler and both 110% and 150% it's not been an issue.

If it turned out that we were in bad weather and had to put a sail out, then it would be with whatever sail was up at the time, swapping sails in bad weather is not a lot of fun.

Going out in known rough conditions I would consider the consequence of the furler line breaking, the jib would unfurl and I'd have all the rag out!

So if I were planning on going out in heavy weather, then I would go for the storm sail!

Paul

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