[Rhodes22-list] A question of size and shape (sails ye salty dogs sails)

[Ronald Lipton]

Hi John,

   I switched from a 175 to a 150 I purchased from Stand last year.
I also switched from the GBI Furler to the CDI.  The GBI furler performed
well, but I wanted the option to lower or change the foresail, and the
CDI furler allows that. 

  I am very happy with the 150.  I do not need to furl as early and it 
seems
to be well suited to conditions on Lake Michigan more often than the
175.  It also retains it's shape a bit better when partially furled.  In 
light
breezes, when you might want more sail area the 175 does not perform
well due to the heavy cloth.   I think the 150 is a bit more suited than 
the
175.  I would thing the 135 would be a bit too small.

Ron



John Shulick wrote:
>  Hello to the forum,
>
>   After extensive negotiations (groveling, begging, etc...) with the Admiral
> I have been authorized (allowed) to replace my blown out 35+yrs old 175
> genoa and GB furler with new equipment. Over the last 2 yrs. sailing at
> Kinzua has shown me the 175 is really not suited for the conditions I have,
> namely wind gusts that can double in velocity usually accompanied by 90* or
> more shifts in direction. I never fully unfurl the genoa unless the wind is
> so light that the sail can't or won't (not sure which) fill properly. My
> research into the archives show the older rhodes came with 150 genoas and my
> 71 certainly falls in that group. My question to the forum is at what
> approximate wind speed would you begin reefing in a 150 genoa and would a
> 135 or less be even better for the conditions I'm facing. Also I'm looking
> for a furler and would appreciate any info on which ones offer more sail
> tuning options. A final item of thought, has anyone out there in rhodes land
> experimented with mast rake and/or mast bending by use of baby stay tension
> to alter mainsail shape and performance.
>
> All comments are appreciated
> Thanks in advance
> John Shulick
>
>