Submitted on October 23, 2001 by Robert Field

Question: I have a beneteau 21.0 that is sailed and club raced solo or short handed. It carries, by design, a 105% headsail. Would a G2 Genaker or similar asymmetric work for this boat? I am trying to enhance performance in the deeper angles (90 to 150 deg) and avoid the need of crew on the foredeck. Thank You, Robert Field.

Answer: Hi Robert, Since you are sailing short handed on a relatively light boat, you will be better off with a G-3 gennaker. Both the G-2 and the G-3 are optimized for a wide steering groove, which is important when an autopilot is steering or when the sheet is cleated and the helmsman is steering to the sail.

However, the G-3 has a slightly wider range of apparent wind angle and it is a little more open on the leech side of the sail. The more open leech helps with lighter boats that have a tendency to round up more easily than heavier boats with longer keels. The G-3 is also smaller and typically has a higher clew. All of these subtle differences add up to a sail that is more forgiving for use short handed. Regards, Dan Neri

Email North Sails with your question today!

Go BACK to Solutions for Sailors Main Page.