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Genoa Car location

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Rollins
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/18/2004 : 23:22:30

I realize that the genoa car location should be set dependant upon the wind conditions and the sail shape needed when trying to control heel and/or weather helm.

But is there a general rule of thumb as to where the car should be 'normally' located for a 110, and for a 150 in moderate wind conditions? Or is this something one has to learn to adjust to get the most out of the sails?

Thanks,

Mike Rollins
1989 SR/WK #5947

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 07:55:16

The general rule is to bisect the angle of the clew. After that you adjust to the wind conditions. Forward for light wind (letting the sail bag out) and aft for heavy wind, (flattening the foot). Sailmakers build sails with various clew angles (deck sweepers, high foot, etc) so your sail will be somewhat unique.

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John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 08:00:12

The easiest “rule” is to split the triangle of the clew with a line down to the car. Most sails have a seam or re-enforcement tape that divides the triangle formed by the clew, follow that down to the car with straight line with the sheet and you will be set correctly. This line will change depending on the wind conditions. A more general “rule” is, in light air move your cars forward to induce shape into the foot and heavier air move them back to flatten the sail. Experiment and have fun.

Click on the “Peregrine” icon.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 08:28:23

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 09:00:41

For the 110 mine is set between the two windows, just about exactly. For the 150 it is after the drop from the back of the cabin and before the water drain from the side deck, you know the little cannal in the toe rail.
Hope that helps.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 09:37:00

Using the methods suggested above, find the best setting for average wind conditions, and mark the genoa car location for the 110 and 150 by putting a piece of sail tape on the genoa track. That way you won't have to (1) remember the average settings for each sail, or (2) figure it out every time you raise a sail.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 10:23:45

The general rule is to bisect the angle of the clew. - Frank

The easiest “rule” is to split the triangle of the clew with a line down to the car. - John

'Sorry to be visually challenged, but I can't figure out what angle/triangle y'all are talking about. Does anyone have a diagram?

Thanks!

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 10:44:55

Mike - once you find the "average" position for the jib cars, you need to "fine tune" it for the prevailing wind strength that day. Trim both main & jib to a close-hauled position, and then VERY slowly come up to weather. If you have 3 sets of telltales on the jib the next step is easy - just watch which set breaks first. If the top breaks first, the car needs to go forward. Conversely, if the bottom set breaks first, move the car back. If all 3 sets break at once - you are set! Now flip onto the other tack and repeat the procedure. The easy way to remember is "Bottom breaks, back"! If you don't have telltales, then keep careful watch on the luff of the jib and see which portion starts to flutter first.
Derek

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 11:06:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 The general rule is to bisect the angle of the clew. - Frank

The easiest “rule” is to split the triangle of the clew with a line down to the car. - John

'Sorry to be visually challenged, but I can't figure out what angle/triangle y'all are talking about. Does anyone have a diagram?

Thanks!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Buzz,

Look at the picture I posted above. It illustrates the jib sheet angles as they bisect the angle created between the foot and leech of the headsail.

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 11:08:39

Hi Buzz,

The angle that Frank and John are talking about is the angle formed by the foot and leach of the sail at the clew corner. Some skippers actually draw a line on the sail with "magic marker". The line divides the angle from the clew cringle and extends into the sail a foot or so. With that line on the sail, you can look up the sheet to see if the sheet lines up with the magic marker.

Other skippers indicate the lead block car position for the sail on the clew corner (again with magic marker). For a 150% genoa the note on the sail might say something like "three holes forward from aft scupper drain".

On Snickerdoodle, the 110% jib has the lead block car about 1/2 way between the two large cabin windows. And the 150 genny has the car about two or three holes forward of the scupper drain in the toe rail near the primary winch.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

BTW: I've got numbers all along the T-track - every three holes. These numbers are self sticking and mine number with #1 most aft and the largest number most forward. This makes it easy to request the crew "move the lead car to cover #10".

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 11:56:56

THANKS Don & Bill ... now I get it ...

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 16:34:02

Don and Bill? hurrumph

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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.