Submitted
on November 19, 2005 by Russ Irwin
Question: We
have just begun design on a 52' blue water cruising boat. She will be
moderate displacement (D/L 175) and normally be sailed by a couple in
our 50's. From our perspective this translates into single handing with
more sleep.
In a perfect world we would have a minimum number of sails, all permanently rigged, providing good performance and safety in all wind conditions. In other words, no sail changes while underway. We recognize that is probably an unrealistic goal, but it's a reference point. With this in mind:
1) What would you recommend as a rig / sail configuration to get as close to this goal as possible?
2) If you were to add one more sail, what would that be?
3) If you were to add two more sails, what would they be?
4) Would it make sense to add UV protection to G-0 or G-2 and leave it "permanently" rigged on a Bamar RollGen furler?
Thanks,
Russ Irwin
Fay Mark
Answer: Hi Russ -
There are many ideas about the perfect sailplan for the boat you are describing. I will give you my opinion but there are plenty of other opinions that are just as valid. Of course in the end yours is the only opinion that really matters. If my wife and I were building a 50' cruiser it would have a relatively tall rig and a non- overlapping headsails. Since we are dealing with a mythical budget, I would also make sure the rig, spreaders and standing rigging were all carbon.
The sail inventory would include the following equipment:
1) Full batten mainsail with 6 battens and 3 reefs. Luff car system and lazy jacks on a moderate "park avenue" style boom.
2) 97% roller furling headsail.
3) Detachable cutter stay with a hank on heavy weather jib.
4) G-0 on a self contained furling system.
5) G-3 gennaker
6) Storm jib.
I would not recommend leaving an extra headsail hoisted on a Bamar system. Despite how well the system may or may not work, you won't want the extra weight aloft or a sail on a relatively soft stay swinging around when you boat is traveling through headwinds and the accompanying sea condition.
While we are dreaming, I will also request a large auxiliary engine so we can motorsail at a steady 8.5 knots. Ask our designer to figure out how we can carry at least an 11' HBI. I would like a redundant backup autopilot with a sophisticated Gyro function. Finally, give me athwartship facing, ergonomically shaped seats on either side of the cockpit, under the cover of the fixed dodger.
Regards,
Dan Neri
PS: I almost forgot that we need storage for a sailboard and dive tanks.
Email North Sails with your question today!
