Submitted on July 14, 2007 by Hermann Kasper

Question: Hi-

We just finished a 4 day performance cruising/racing course at J-WORLD and enjoyed the great offwind / spinnaker performance of the J24 .

My wife and I own a small 2005 18' Catalina MK II with a 100% (or 110?) rollerfurling jib, which we sail on Long Island Sound. We do mainly daysailing and some (unofficial) racing with other members in our Yacht Club.

I would like to improve light wind /offwind performance, possibly with a Gennaker + snuffer or would you recommend a larger Genoa? Thanks!

Answer: Hello,

Thank you for sending your questions to CruisingSolutions. Your thoughts on adding a Gennaker to the Catalina 18 inventory are spot on. A G3 Gennaker will significantly enhance your off wind performance. The G3 Gennaker should be in a snuffer for ease of use. The Gennaker should get tacked on centerline with a tack strap so that the tack of the sail will stay on centerline. To view the G3 Gennaker section of the North Sails Web site, simply click on this link:

http://na.northsails.com/Cruising_Sails/gennakers.html

A larger 135% NorDac Genoa will help your upwind light air performance but in order for the larger genoa to sheet to the existing tracks, the clew would have to be very low. You would lose a lot of the visibility that you currently enjoy with your 110% jib. I think a Gennaker is the better all around solution.

Happy Sailing,
Tom Castiglione

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