Stephen

In a nutshell, the percentages are arrived at as follows. Assume a sail
that "goes to the top of the mast".

Measue the horizontal distance from where the forestay attaches to the bow
to the mast.

A sail that extends exaclty to the mast (i.e. the distance you measured when
it;s sheeted tight is called a 100% or a working jib. A sail that extends
half again, the distance you measured, beyond the mast when sheeted in tight
is called a 150%.

Matt


"Stephen Trapani" wrote in message
...
jdmarchand wrote:

Stephen:

I would first get myself a good book on the theory and practise of
sailin
and learn a bit about sail performance and terminology. You seem to be a
bit
mixed up in your terms.

A 135% genoa (any good sailing theory book will explain how this is
measured) is generally the best all around compromise. If you generally
sail
in light air, a 150% might be better. If you routinely sail in heavy
wind, a
100-120% would be better.

David



Thanks, I'll get one of those books right away. In fact I have a friend
who has one. I'll need to borrow it if I want to beat him racing.

But I need to make this sail decision day after tomorrow, for the free
storm jib, and I thought someone might have a quick forumula for the
measurements a storm jib should be, or any jib/genoa if someone can.
That will be in the book? I can get it right away, I guess.

I'll know the height of my mast, the length of the boom, etc. I'll
investigate much further before buying any sails later.

Stephen