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Headsail choices

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/25/2003 : 08:00:47

Friends: I need your interpretations and suggestions about headsails. "Even Chance" (1985 C25 SK/TR) has two hanked-on headsails: a 110 jib and a 150 genoa. Here in the Chesapeake, the winds are often too light to lift the jenny.

With limited funds, I'm considering what light wind headsail to buy. I know I don't want a symmetrical spinnaker -- I usually sail singlehanded. The nomenclature for headsails is confusing: drifter, gennaker, asymmetric (I know what that means vis a vis a regular spinnaker, but how does that differ from the others in the list?), etc. What's the difference between the differently named headsails?

Finally, how satisfactory is poling out the jenny compared to a genuine light wind headsail? I know about whisker poles -- had one on my Mobjack for broad reaches and running. What I'd like your opinions about is poling out vs. using a light sail in light winds.

Thanks for the info and opinions!!

Brooke

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 10:35:12

Hi Brooke,

Your dilemma is one that many sailors (even some old salts) have. There are so many names (and trade names) for different headsails that it is very confusing. Here's just a quick overview and then a recommendation.

Spinnaker - very large downwind sail usually made of .75 oz ripstop nylon (spinnaker cloth); the two long sides of this sail are the same length. This sail is set flying (no hanks) and the forward lower corner (tack) is usually supported by a spinnaker pole.

Asymetrical spinnaker (cruising spinnaker, flasher, gennaker, etc) - very large downwind sail usually made of .75 oz spinnaker cloth. The long sides of the sail are of different lengths - the longer side is the forward edge of the sail (luff). This sail is set flying (no hanks) and the forward lower corner (tack) is secured to the bow of the boat (usually the stem fitting) by a 4' to 6' length of line.

#1, #2, #3, Working jib, Lapper, Genny, Gennoa - are all jib sails of different sizes. The luff edge of these sails is hanked to the forestay (or attached in another manner with luff foil or roller furling extrusion). On a C25, the larger sails are generally made of 3.5 oz Dacron, while the smaller sails are heavier with cloth weights of 6.5 or 7.0 oz.

Drifter - is commonly a very large jib sail. 150% or larger sizes to 170% are usually seen. These sails are made of 1.5 oz spinnaker cloth - so fill in breezes as light as 2 or 3 knots. But, they are generally hanked onto the forestay and trimmed like any other jib. They are not particularly effective sails if the breeze exceeds 8 knots because the nylon stretches them - moving the max draft aft in the sail too far for good upwind efficiency.

Cloth weights are the weight of fabric per sailmakers yard (36" X 30"). Lighter weights .75, 1.5 are good for light winds. Medium weights 3.5, 4.5 etc are great for general sailing conditions. Heavier weights of 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 are stronger cloths and good for heavier breezes.

Kevlar or mylar (and other exotic materials) are often used in racing jibs of all sizes - but increase the cost considerably.

I have both a Drifter and an Asymetrical Spinnaker aboard Snickerdoodle. In 75 to 80 days on the water each year, I see around 25 to 30 days where the Drifter is my headsail of choice; but only use the Asymetrical Spinnaker a dozen or so times because it is strictly a reaching or running (downwind) sail.

So Brooke, both because of more days to use the sail, its ease of use, and because it is effective for both upwind and downwind work, I would recommend that you take a close look at a Drifter for light wind sailing. 155% or 160%, 1.5 oz spinnaker cloth (you get to choose neat colors). Gary Swenson (Ullman Sails of Ventura) has made several of these for C25s and C250s. Talk to him. 800-248-2892 ullmanventura@worldnet.att.net

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 15:45:07

Bill, thanks as always. Your perspective is a great help to all of us in here. It especially helps to think about the downwind issue with the gennaker/asymmetrical. It does sound as though the drifter would be more useful, since I can use it both downhill and on a reach.

Brooke

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2003 : 23:32:48

I might add that I bought one of Gary's drifters for my 250 and that it is not hanked on. Because I have a furling jib I use the free jib halyard to raise the drifter. It has a Kevlar strip up the luff to add strength so you can tighten it up into the wind. I use a snap shackle at the tack in one of the extra holes on the forestay (chainplate?) I also have a block so I can let the tack fly out somewhat like a spinnaker on down wind runs. It has been great the few times I have used it as it has only been a few months since I purchased it.

PS: here is the other discussion about foresails from the C-250 section which includes some pictures:
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4027

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk
<img src="http://www.members.aol.com:/benraye/pictures/fullsail.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - ben - fl on 07/25/2003 23:42:45

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