[Rhodes22-list] Genoa size - 130 or 150

[Leland]

Rob,

Tough call.  I'm a huge fan of the big decksweeping 175% Genoa especially on
any point-of-sail other than a close reach.  Unlike your circumstances
however, I frequently sail in light air and usually start furling the
monster in on a close reach when the wind gets much above 6 knots.  In your
10-12 knot winds I'm furled down to 100% or less.

I agree that in general a sail is at maximum performance full out and not
reefed.  A partially furled Genoa also might sail better on a starboard tack
since the roll doesn't block the leading edge.

"...but will the better performance for most of the time (more than 50%)
compensate my feeling of
disappointment on those days when I could have used a larger sail?"  I don't
believe so.  You may get slightly better performance more than 50% of the
time, but unless you're competitively racing all the time I don't think it's
worth the trade-off.  I don't believe an unfurled sail will increase your
performance significantly more than having optimal adjustments for sails,
sails amount, sails balance, heel, tracks, leads, traveler, railmeat,
centerboard, tiller, etc.  I always like to go fast even when I'm not racing
another boat yet I rarely adjust my traveler or mainsail outhaul (or tiny
lines on our mainsails Rummy), even when I know what I'm doing.  So unless
the rest of the universe is in perfect alignment I wouldn't worry about the
tenth of a knot you might be losing with a furled headsail.

I've only experience with the battened mainsail so I can't speak to improved
performance, but I've had no problems furling or otherwise.

Good luck!

Lee
1986 Rhodes22  AT EASE
Kent Island, MD


Robert Baldi-2 wrote:
> 
> Hello
> My name is Robert Baldi - I have owned my Rhodes for more than 10 years.
> Jay
> Friedland and I sail off of Long Beach Island N.J. We each have our own
> boats. I used to be on the list using my email address name of Moses2u,
> and
> I know some of you from my days when I was regularly on the list - years
> ago.
> 
> Here is my question: I plan to buy a new set of sails. I currently have
> what
> I think is a 150 genoa. I am not a timid sailor, but I am looking for
> performance and therefore I am considering buying a smaller Genoa. I do
> a great deal of solo sailing. Most often the wind is more than10-12 knots
> and frequently 14+. I  regularly reef my genoa to some extent- probably
> more
> than half the time I go out solo.
> 
> My first premise ( I am looking for guidance on this) is that a sail is at
> maximum performance full out and not reefed. Therefore I will obtain
> maximum
> performance most of the time with a smaller Genoa.
> 
> I will miss the larger Genoa some of the time, --- but will the better
> performance for most of the time (more than 50%) compensate my feeling of
> disappointment on those days when I could have used a larger sail -  On
> those days (wind from 7 to 10 knots) when I would have sailed the 150 at
> 100%.
> 
> My furling system is the old General Boats basic design where the sail is
> screwed to the tube. I do not intend to buy a new system and two sets of
> sails - but if there are people who regularly change their sail -I will
> listen to their advice as well. It is my belief that most of us like the
> simplicity of one set of sails and the ease of jumping on our boat and
> heading out for a sail without hanking on the sails.
> 
> I have an innermast main - I assume I want the main sail with a Batten.
> 
> Please - talk to me - do you like your sail size? What should I buy? -
> Should I try a 130 genoa? By the way - I do not regularly race but like
> all
> of us -when another boat sails close I don't want to be behind - so speed
> is
> an issue. - I wonder if the efficiency of a smaller unreefed sail will
> improve speed.
> 
> rob
> 
> rob
> -- 
> Robert O. Baldi
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