On your boat a regular genoa is going to be too heavy to handle without
a furler.

My boat is 55' and has a Solent rig. I love it. The 90% inner jib even
self-tacks on a track. Both the jib and the genoa are on rollers. I
generally use the jib going up wind - plenty of power compared to a
cutter rig. If I'm using the genoa and have to tack, I roll it up.

I just think you'd find a solent retrofit too expensive. A lot of new
rig pieces.

I agree that your best option might be a cruising version of the
Code-0. There are a bunch of choices but look at the Doyle UPS
http://www.doylesails.com/sails-crui...l-spin-ups.htm. While
it's not quite as big as a spinnaker, it's a whole lot more than what
you have now. It's made of nylon (light), works from 33 degrees to 180
degrees, and furls on its own roller. The luff "wire" is vectran so it
bags right up when you pull it down.

If you get hit by a sudden nasty piece of weather you can also roll it
up and leave it rigged until things calm down. The "snuffer" systems
all require you to go on the foredeck when you really should be back in
the safety of the cockpit.

Carl