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Raising a Genoa Higher

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RAG Sailor
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USA
144 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/09/2013 : 14:17:53

Upon my first solo outing we decided to just sail by the Genoa alone. I noticed that after it was unfurled the sail was hoisted about two feet shy of the top of the Forestay and was so low that it was difficult to see ahead. The tack was attached by a shackle directly to the roller reefer at the base of the Forestay. I was wondering if it would be wise to raise the Genoa about a foot by attaching a line at the roller reefer base. This would give me better visibility. I know they make head sails with visibility panes but that is not what I have nor do I want to incur the expense of replacing the current sail as it is brand new. Thanks!

Good to be back at sea!

Edited by - RAG Sailor on 10/09/2013 14:18:28

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 14:45:22

Yes, you can make a pennant that goes between the tack of the sail and furler to raise the sail.

It will make a minor increase in how much the boat heels, but will improve visibility. It will probably not change performance too dramatically, especially if you make the pennant size align the clew of the jib with the tack of the main (maximizing the area of both sails that gets the slot effect).

Edited by - awetmore on 10/09/2013 14:45:44

RAG Sailor
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USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 14:57:27

Thanks for the heads up about the extra heeling. We're just getting back into sailing after a 30 year hiatus. I think a little "blindness" is preferable to extra heeling right now. Down the road a bit we'll make the modification.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 16:06:59

Depending on the cut, raising the sail might not buy you all that much visibility as once the boat starts heeling, visibility starts to diminish due to the angle. You should get to know the boat more as you might discover that there are things you can do to help overcome the visibility issue.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 16:27:22

Try increasing the height gradually by adding an extra shackle to the tack. After a while add another shackle, then another, etc. We had a short height drifter and added a wire pennant to the tack that raised it to almost the top mof the bow pulpit. Worked out well. See pic in my signature. Be prepared to move the genoa car back as you go higher with the sail.

Edited by - dmpilc on 10/09/2013 16:28:42

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 16:55:11

Take the tack of the sail off of the shackle. Raise the sail, watch the top and don't crowd the mast at the top, a couple of inches less than full hoist is fine. Tie a 1/4" or a bit smaller line to the shackle then take the line up and through the tack cringle of the sail, repeat, you now have a purchase to haul the tack down. A furler sail should be tensioned from the bottom, not with the halyard, (unless you have a Harken furler), get the luff nicce and tight, another time around the shackle and cringle if you need more purchase but 3x is about the max before friction on the line kills your purchase. When you have your tension tie the end of your line to the shackle again. The sail will wrap nicely because the knots are below the sail.

Edited by - pastmember on 10/09/2013 16:55:49

awetmore
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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 17:57:41

" A furler sail should be tensioned from the bottom"

That is only true for the CDI and Alado furlers, which have integrated halyards instead of a top swivel.

Furlex, Hood, Harken, Profurl, Schaefer, and probably everyone else use a regular mast-mounted halyard.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 18:35:58

I have never used a furler that required a halyard restrainer at the top but I think lots furlers that use an external halyard need them. I am under the impression they kinda set the halyard hoist so the restrainer works. I think.

But yes especially internal halyard systems.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2013 : 21:07:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 I have never used a furler that required a halyard restrainer at the top but I think lots furlers that use an external halyard need them. I am under the impression they kinda set the halyard hoist so the restrainer works...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">True. The restrainer is a little block on the front of the mast, just above the hoist level of the swivel. The halyard goes down through it and then to the swivel. (This does not apply with a CDI, which has an internal halyard.) The swivel should end up at a level where the halyard is at something like 45 degrees from the mast (not parallel to the forestay), so it maintains luff tension but prevents the halyard from wrapping around the forestay as you furl and unfurl. If you already have a pennant between the top of the sail and the swivel (as I did), you could switch it to between the furler drum and the tack--that wouldn't change the halyard angle to the restrainer.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/10/2013 06:52:09

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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.