Submitted on January 13, 2006 by Dave Kusmik

Answer: Hi Dave,

Good questions. My answers are in blue below, following each question.

Regards,
Dan Neri

Question:Hello,

I have a Catalina 30 which I sail in the high winds of San Francisco Bay. The boat is equipped with Harken MkIII roller furling. I am considering purchase of a new headsail, and would like to go with something as durable as possible (priority #1), but that will also show minmal stretch when hit with 25-30 knot gusts (priority #2). I have a reasonable amount of racing experience and appreciate performance, however all sailing these days is strictly cruising with the family, which includes an infant and a toddler.

I am considering a sail with LP of 90 - 100%, and I see in the original line drawing from Catalina that they show a 100% headsail. In the drawing, the jib does not hoist to the top of the headstay - it looks to be about 3 - 4 feet short. (Note that the same drawing shows a 130 and 155 that are both hoisted to the top). So here are my questions:

1. What are the performance/handling advantages (if any) of a high wind sail with short hoist? Why (or in what conditions) would you not want to have a sail that hoists all the way to the top of the headstay?

The Catalina designers have drawn the sail with a shorter hoist because when the sail gets too narrow the sail shape is less efficient. The draft of a very narrow headed sail will move to the middle of the fore and aft cord resulting in a sail that is not creating any lift. There are two solution to the problem. The first is to add battens which allows the leech to be cut straighter or with roach, making the head wider. The second is to make the sail shorter on the luff, so the sail has a lower aspect ratio and a wider head angle.

2. I have read that use of a wire pennant at the head of the sail is recommended for a short hoist sail on a roller furler. Is this safe, or is there still a risk of wrapping the pennant around the foil?

Today we use a short length of high modulus rope. My preference for your boat would be 8mmm, 12 plait spectra or dyneema single braid.

3. Would you recommend going with a short hoist sail, or should I go full hoist?

For the wind condition you describe, you will be happy with a reduced hoist, 90% headsail made out of relatively stiff, 8 oz dacron. This sail will be very close in size and shape to what most racers will carry as a "#4" or "Heavy Weather Jib".

4. What type and weight of sail cloth would you recommend given my situation?

See above.

5. Based on my measurments, 100% is about as small as I can go without greatly raising the clew position of the sail - my jib tracks end at the aft lower shroud and thus don't go far enough forward to support anything smaller. Given this and the fact that the sail will already be relatively small, is there any reason to get a foam luff pad for partial reefing of the sail?

I don't think you need a reefing pad with this sail. Have your sailmaker build it small enough and flat enough for 25-30 knots and you will have a nicely shaped sail that delivers good performance without overpowering the boat.

Thanks very much!
Dave Kusmik

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