Submitted on August 26, 2007 by Chuck Motson

Question: I own a 22,000lb, 38' racing cruiser which carries a huge amount of sail. My genoa has died and I don't own a downwind sail. I have roller furling headsails. I have a nice 100% jib.

I live in Puget sound and almost always have either a north or south wind and most all of our travels are north and south.

If I were to buy only one new headsail what should it be? A new genoa, a Gennaker, or a true downwind sail?

Chuck Motson

Answer: Dear Chuck,

My recommendation would be to go with a G-AP2 Gennaker to complement your jib if you are only going to be purchasing one sail. If the boat carries a 'huge amount of sail' it should be relatively powered up with the Jib in winds above 10 knots. The G-AP2 Gennaker would provide a generous amount of downwind horsepower and make those downwind legs much more enjoyable in winds 20 knots or below. We primarily sail upwind and downwind here in the Sound as you mentioned, so why not make it more fun?

Best of luck!
Chris Winnard

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