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Submitted
on August 16, 2004 by Patrick Carey
Question: Hi,
I own a Pacific Seacraft 34 with a 120% headsail. The boat also has a
full battened main. The beam is 10 feet and I usually sheet the jib outside
of the lifelines.
Problem, I would like to point higher than the usual 45 degrees. Any ideas for a head sail redesign?
Thanks.
Patrick Carey
Answer: Hi Patrick, the sheeting angle of the headsail has a direct effect on how close winded your boat will be. A headsail that overlaps the shrouds by a small amount, like your 120% genoa, will result in the widest sheeting angle and widest tacking angles. A larger overlap, like on a 150% genoa, will result in a tighter sheeting angle and a little better pointing ability. Other factors that contribute to pointing ability are the mainsail leech tension, mainsail traveler postion relative to the centerline of the boat, amount of headstay sag and how tightly you are sheeting your headsail. To point as high as possible with your current sail, you should position the lead so that the sail comes into contact with the cap-shroud just before it comes into contact with the spreader tip. Make sure both mainsail and headsail halyards are tight enough that the maximum draft position is forward of the middle of the sail, focusing on a stripe or seam about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the sails. Then sheet the headsail until it is about 1" off the spreader tip. Trim the mainsail so that the last 2' of the top batten is parrallel to the boom, when siting from directly below the boom. Then carry the traveler as close to centerline as the breeze strength will allow, or in a position where the boat is tracking in a straight line without a tendency to round into the wind in the puffs.
If you are considering a new headsail in order to get better performance to windward, you should talk to one of our sales reps about a larger LP. On a boat with a wide shroud base like your Pacific Seacraft, an LP of 135%-145% will allow you to point higher in moderate winds. However, in breeze above 15 knots true wind speed, your 120% sail, trimmed correctly, should get the boat to windward as well or better than a larger sail because the boat will heel less and make less leeway.
If you would like to talk with a sales rep in our Rhode Island loft, call 401-683-7997 or send an email to tim@sales.northsails.com
Regards,
Dan Neri
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