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

Not exactly. The "percentage" is LP (the distance perpendicular from
the luff to the clew) divided my J (The horozontal distance from the
tack to the front of the mast. Because LP is at an angle to J, a 100%
jib will not quite reach the mast.

Matt Koch wrote:
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




--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

On Thu, 6 May 2004 10:05:01 -0400, "Matt Koch"
wrote:

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%.

Actually, the percent is of the perpendicular from the luff to the
clew. About the same thing for a decksweeper, but different for most
cruising sails.


Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a


Ask not with whom the buck stops . . .