In article .com,
druid wrote:
I've hanked on enough sails singlehanded to appreciate a good reefer/
furler. Far Cove has one, and it's a Joy to always have Just Enough
headsail rather than always too much or too little. As for the foam
luff: I think it's a Good Idea, and as mentioned does give you a
better sail shape when reefed, but not necessary for reefing. Just
make sure you get a GOOD furling system (mine is a Harken) - the
cheaper ones furl but don't reef.

I have a Schaefer. Sailing with it reefed in 25kts plus isn't a
problem. Definitely, you need a decent mechanism.

--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com

The shape of my 130 with foam is bad enough when reefed down that I would
sure go with the foam. The size of the sail doesn't have that much to do
with the geometry of the sail shape.

I'm always astounded how well my boat sails with the working jib which has
great shape. I put a luff doubling on it this winter so I can leave it up
and fly it more often. Good shape trumps area in most conditions.

--
Roger Long

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
The shape of my 130 with foam is bad enough when reefed down that I would
sure go with the foam. The size of the sail doesn't have that much to do
with the geometry of the sail shape.

I'm always astounded how well my boat sails with the working jib which has
great shape. I put a luff doubling on it this winter so I can leave it up
and fly it more often. Good shape trumps area in most conditions.

--
Roger Long

My 130 Genny is relatively flat-cut. That does certainly make a difference
when reefing. If air is light enough that it wants shape, I should probably
put the drifter up anyway.

With a foan luff you will be able to reef down a full ~30% of what you
have and still have GOOD sail shape. 130 X .70 = 91%

Without the foam, etc. luff you will only be able to reef down a few %
and then the sail at the luff (entry shape) will become quite
full/rounded; full/rounded is not what you want when you reef as
full/rounded luff shape is to 'power up' a sail .... and you will heel
more and point less as the increased 'roundness' of the luff shape
essentially changes the sail's "angle of attack".

Putting a profurl headsail roller reefer on a 27 footer. Is it
necessary to have luff foam or rope for reefing on a sail this small?
Some sailmakers say yes, some no. Any direct experiences?
Thanks
Gordon

On 2007-05-10 17:15:02 -0400, Gordon said:

Putting a profurl headsail roller reefer on a 27 footer. Is it
necessary to have luff foam or rope for reefing on a sail this small?
Some sailmakers say yes, some no. Any direct experiences?

We have the rope luff on the 135 and it does seem to work better than
foam after a couple of years' use. Either makes a furled sail's shape
better, though not perfect.

Our 110 doesn't have either, though. When the weather's too high for
that and a double-reefed main, I'm gonna either be in the anchorage or
on the way, in weather too rough to point much anyway, and I'll be
minimizing heel and wanting the power.

Your mileage will definitely vary as each boat differs.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's new pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI pages: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/