Parallax wrote:

I have just installed a CDI furling system on my 8.5 M S2 so am about
to buy a furling genoa. I only intend to cruise and rarely (never)
race and am wondering what size genoa to get.
What is the maximum amount I can furl a sail and still have it work
ok? I have read somewhere about 70% which means that a 150 can be
furled down to 105.
The furling sails made by CDI dont have the foam luff for better shape
when furled down so am not sure about them.
I can buy an offshore furling 150 off the shelf (already made and new)
for reasonable price but it is 1' too short. Is this ok or will it
hurt performance too much. This sail is probably better made than one
I would have custom made for my boat. It seems that this is a
reduction in area of about 2.9% only.
With this shorter sail, could I hoist it higher in lighter air and
lower in heavier air?


Which sail depends upon your sailing area and habits. We had had a 155
(or so) on hanks, but the North Sails sailsman (spelling intentional)
both knew the area and our boat's characteristics and built us a
full-shouldered 135. Works as well as the #1 did in light airs, better
in moderate air, and will reef to about 90% of area with reasonable
shape over our rope luff (which we figure will last longer than foam).

I would prefer a 135 that hoisted full on the luff than a 150 that was a
bit short. Remember that the leading foot or so of the sail does most of
the work.

Also, the CDI's internal halyard makes it a bit more difficult to hoist
a short sail. Most likely, you'll put a pennant at head or foot to make
up the difference.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/