Submitted on January 9, 2006 by Monique Anckaert

Question: Hi,

We sail a Beneteau First 44.7 and would like to add a High Aspect furling jib to our inventory. We do not really hard racing but we like to push the boat, even just cruising; we also would like to keep that jib, furled 20 or 30 % (or even more if possible) as long as possible in increasing wind force.

We now have a main and a 135% genoa in Genesis (Elvström).

My questions:

What kind and weight of sailcloth should I consider, taking into account that very often we are just two aboard (my husband and me) and that we would like a quite soft, light and easy cloth. We were considering Spectra (or Pentex???) We also intend to do an Atlantic crossing (Europe – Caribbean and back.) But we would like to have the sail for more than just one year, so durability and form keeping is also important. I read that Spectra has a tendency to creep. Can you say how long or what wind force it would take to go to that creeping? And if that happens, is it possible to re-cut the sail?

How does the sailcloth you recommend compares to Genesis?

How far can we go with furling and what would this represent in wind force (beating and running)?

Thanks for your advice
Monique Anckaert

Answer: Hi Monique,

You have a lot of questions and you really should talk to a North salesman directly because, like with most cruising equipment choices, the decisions about sailcloth are not black and white. For every choice you make there will be a trade off.

Because you are buying a high aspect sail, and because of your stated desire to push the sail, you need a sail with a lot of fiber in the sail cloth. From North the two best choices will be either 3DL Marathon or Spectra Norlam. Within both of those categories there are choices in yarn type and density. More yarn is generally going to give you a more stiff (lower stretch) sail capable of use in higher loads. More yarn also means more weight and more cost.

The spectra sail will ultimately give you more years of service, but the Marathon sail will give you better performance and better shape holding. Neither of these products lend themselves to a direct comparison with Genesis.

It is asking a lot of any sail to use it roller reefed 20-30% for long periods of time. I think you should be planning more in the range of 10-20% rolled up. Any sail can be recut but recuts are rarely completely satisfactory. If you buy the right strength fabric for the job, and are careful to stay within the wind range that the sail is designed for, you should not have to do any shape recutting.

Regards,
Dan Neri

Note - If you would a North representative to call you, please visit our Request a Quote page. You can also contact a representative directly by visiting our Loft Directory page. Thanks!

Email North Sails with your question today!

<<Go BACK to Solutions for Sailors Main Page.