On Sun, 25 Dec 2005 11:54:04 -0000, "Nigel"
wrote:
I have a cutter rigged Bruce Roberts 53, who's working sails comprise a main
sail, stay sail and yankee both on piston hanks. Once the wind reaches f3/4
she sails well, but struggles in light winds, so I'm planning on buying a
genoa. I like the simplicity of a no1 genoa with piston hanks, but it would
be a sail of about 1000sqft and weight in the region of 35kg (75lbs), which
could be a bit of a struggle when short handed. The alternative is to fit a
roller furling/reefing genoa, that would have the advantage of easier
handling but I would be giving up the yankee, and unless I also did away
with the staysail, or put it on a removable stay, it would be difficult
tack. I have had suggestions of twin forestays etc, but I like to keep
things simple. Is it unrealistic to think one person could handle a 1000sqft
headsail in light ish winds. She is fitted with Lewmar 65 winches and the
headsail could drop into a turtle type sail bag, but I know 500sqft is often
quoted as the largest easily handled sail. I'd appreciate any
experience/opinions.
Thanks and seasons greeting to all

www.jassira.com

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A sail that large will definitely require a roller furler in my
opinion. Even if you put it up in light air when it is easy to
handle, there will come a time when you need to get it down with the
wind blowing and it will be very difficult. 35 kg is also a lot of
weight, and it will be twice as heavy when wet which will happen.

On a boat that large I'd be inclined to go with twin furlers, one
forward for the genoa, and one further aft for a heavy weather jib.
That's a pretty common setup on large cruising boats. Tacking the
genoa is difficult when fully extended but if you roll it up part way
prior to the tack, much easier.