Re: Genoa Sizes for a Fractional Rig
Posted by GregSeaHawk on
URL: https://forum.seahawk17.org.uk/Genoa-Sizes-for-a-Fractional-Rig-tp4024499p4024514.html
Hi Tom,
A further thought about genoas ...
It wasn't until I posted some photos of a cruise I took in 1976 with friends aboard my father's SeaHawk, that I was reminded again of one of the issues with genoas for narrow river sailors. I write at:
http://www.gregafloat.org.uk/broads/jemima1976.html
"With all the noise I make, about the use of the genoa, in my reports of my attempts at the Three Rivers Race on my own SeaHawk, it was a surprise to be reminded that I must have fitted fairleads and cleats for the genoa on father's boat. I had barely remembered using the genoa, but it would appear that I had spent at least a little time and money on making sure it could be used."
The photo that illustrates the comment is this:
where you see I fitted a fairlead and cleat well back in the cockpit.
The point being that with the largest genoa supplied back in 1973 the foot is so long that neither of the cabin-top fairleads can be used. It comes back further than even Moore's winches would allow and you have to take the sail round the outside of the shrouds.
That means tacking in confined waters becomes a major problem as it takes time to move the sail across the boat and set it for maximum efficiency, not to mention that you lose 10 degrees or so of upwind performance.
Of course, that difference of upwind performance may matter little on open waters where one can spend hours before turning and take advantage of the extra speed through the water on a broader reach, but when tacking every 30 seconds, which is common on the waters I sail in, not being able to have the jib set for maximum efficiency in a moment is a major deficiency.
I now understand why I once saw in a photograph of a marina a notice requiring skippers bring their boats into the harbour to be under motor. You just can't tack efficiently with modern small main and giant genoa rigs - though I understand their benefits for those sailing in open waters.
URL: https://forum.seahawk17.org.uk/Genoa-Sizes-for-a-Fractional-Rig-tp4024499p4024514.html
Hi Tom,
A further thought about genoas ...
It wasn't until I posted some photos of a cruise I took in 1976 with friends aboard my father's SeaHawk, that I was reminded again of one of the issues with genoas for narrow river sailors. I write at:
http://www.gregafloat.org.uk/broads/jemima1976.html
"With all the noise I make, about the use of the genoa, in my reports of my attempts at the Three Rivers Race on my own SeaHawk, it was a surprise to be reminded that I must have fitted fairleads and cleats for the genoa on father's boat. I had barely remembered using the genoa, but it would appear that I had spent at least a little time and money on making sure it could be used."
The photo that illustrates the comment is this:
where you see I fitted a fairlead and cleat well back in the cockpit.
The point being that with the largest genoa supplied back in 1973 the foot is so long that neither of the cabin-top fairleads can be used. It comes back further than even Moore's winches would allow and you have to take the sail round the outside of the shrouds.
That means tacking in confined waters becomes a major problem as it takes time to move the sail across the boat and set it for maximum efficiency, not to mention that you lose 10 degrees or so of upwind performance.
Of course, that difference of upwind performance may matter little on open waters where one can spend hours before turning and take advantage of the extra speed through the water on a broader reach, but when tacking every 30 seconds, which is common on the waters I sail in, not being able to have the jib set for maximum efficiency in a moment is a major deficiency.
I now understand why I once saw in a photograph of a marina a notice requiring skippers bring their boats into the harbour to be under motor. You just can't tack efficiently with modern small main and giant genoa rigs - though I understand their benefits for those sailing in open waters.
Greg Chapman
GregAfloat - My Boating Biography
GregAfloat - My Boating Biography
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