On Sep 2, 12:59 pm, "Edgar" wrote:
"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
ups.com...
Winds were pretty good. But they died down more and more as we sailed.
It was a nice sail, but I damaged the leech cord in my 120% and that
****ed me off, even if the repair will be free. I have yet to hoist my
new sail, which is a 150%. I want to try it on a quiet day.
It was blowing just short of whitecaps for the 1st couple of hours.
It's so funny when it blows like that because the heavy stuff comes
out....Cape Dory's, Southern Crosses, Valiants and a lot of old wood
stuff that can really play in a good breeze. There were a ton of
classics out sailing and a real show for our guests in from Ireland.
Next time I'll give you more notice and careful directions. I had a
lot of people on board yesterday, but little help sailing the boat.
That can be a PIA at times.
It's an amazing weather weekend so far.
It is clear to me that you do not have the ability(/or crew?) to change your
foresail when the wind changes from the strength it was when you went out. I
said as much in a recent post. For the sort of sailing you do you would be
much better off with a roller jib cut high enough to clear the guard rails,
then you could roll up a bit when the wind increases instead of messing up a
new foresail in winds too great for it.
It is really silly to get a 150% deck sweeper-you are sure to blow it out
because you do not have the ability/crew to replace it with a smaller one
when the wind gets up. Face up to it-despite all your talk about speed and
racing your sailing outings are pleasure trips. There is nothing wrong with
that but you do not face up to the reality of it and rig your boat
accordingly..
Edgar, Heart of Gold is a fractionally rigged 35s5. Headsails on these
boats are fairly small, with most of the power coming from the huge
mainsail. Currently I'm flying a 120% Pentax Mylar genoa, which I do
roller reef (as we did yesterday) when it's breezy. I've reefed down
the main a few times, but rarely find the need. When it's really
blowing, I roll up of the genoa and these boats sail like big fast
dinghies under main alone. We did hull speed with just main yesterday.
sliding past a lot of boats on a close reach, including a large
Nonsuch which Jeff insists is a quick boat.
Before I bought the 35s5 I spoke with owners about what they used.
Many felt than to get reasonable drive from the headsail, they needed
a 150% and found that to be their #1 cruising and daysailing sail.
With higher winds they'd reef down to 125% or so.
It takes a VERY windy day for Heart of Gold to have any problems.
Yesterday we went out with the correct headsail, but a bit more would
have been nice as the day went on. We basically sailed under full
main, reefed genoa and then full genoa. I chose not to fly the new
150% because:
1) I was not convinced wind conditions would continue to diminish.
2) I was shorthanded and busy with guests.
3) The boat was making 6 knots plus and doing fine anyway. If it aint
broke, don't fix it.
I'd rather not get involved with headsail changes for a short daysail.
The 150% should be a great all around sail for 35s5 as it's far
smaller than the ones found on a masthead rig.
As for my talk about racing and speed....I like a fast boat, but I
don't have interest in racing and rarely do it. My boat is outfitted
for the fun daysails we usually do. My kevlar/mylar sails are overkill
to be sure. But they cost me less than what folks pay for dacron and
are pretty durable. I think they look good as well.
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...lighterair.jpg
My friends, out in their own boats, can always find us! A J120 sailed
by us yesterday and said, "Nice mainsail!" I couldn't catch him to say
thanks.
RB
35s5
NY