felton wrote:

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 10:41:57 +1300, The_navigator©
wrote:


What's the use of it there?

Cheers MC


Well, as I sail on a lake I probably don't need one at all, but it is
a handy thing to have if the weather looks iffy. It is surprising how
well a boat can move with a flat little blade and a double reefed
main. Although I keep a 110 on the furler, I would be the first to
admit that you can't get any sort of acceptable sailshape by reefing a
furling headsail. At least I have never have.


Quite so. When using the roller furler, with a padded luff I can get an
OK shape if I furl my #2 by no more than 10%. This extends the useful
wind range by about 5 knots but no more IMHO. If I was planning more
extensive off shore cruising I would love twin headstays, but I mostly
use the foil with #1, #2 jenoas and a #3 blade.

Cheers MC