Submitted on August 1, 2002 by Rob Lillie

Question: Hello, North Sails. You said "Ask..." We're asking.

We have a Magellan 36, which of course is a ketch rig boat. The questions are as follows.

1. With the old sails - Working jib (which we assume is the correct one based on a sales picture of the boat when she was new) main and mizzen we seemingly cannot balance the helm and steer with the sails, which I could do on my old Bristol 29.9.

2. Will a ketch rig balance properly or will it be a matter of choosing the right combination for each situation? The boat currently has spruce spars (both masts and booms). Is it possible to put a roller furl system together that will work with, and not over tax the spruce? The Magellan is a classic shape made all the sexier by the spruce spars, so if possible I would like to keep them. Is the alternative a roller furl jib and main that falls into a lazy jack system, with all lines leading to the cockpit?

3. Replacement costs from North Sails and recommended roller furl systems that will work with spruce spars.

4. Would we benefit from fully battened main and mizzen for a bluewater cruising boat like the Magellan?

5. We are open to all recommendations you might have.

Thank you for your courtesy, interest and answers in advance. Rob Lillie

Answer: Dear Rob, I will try to answer your questions in the order you asked them:

1) Most ketch rig sailplans are tough to balance for sailing to windward. The reason is that the mizzen is always working in the backwind of the mainsail. To move the mizzen out of the mainsail backwind you need to sheet the mizzen very hard, which has the effect of steering the boat to windward without adding much driving force. An older dacron mizzen sail will cause more weather helm and less drive force than a newer, flatter sail. Most ketch rig owners find it better to lower the mizzen when sailing to windward. On a reaching angle the mizzen will be useful to balance the helm.

2) A roller furling headsail system will add some weight to your rig, but should not stress the spar any more than a hank on headsail. I don't think there is any way to convert your spruce boom to a boom furling system. You best bet will be to add lazy jacks and consider a luff track system.

The Tides Marine track and sliders are a good choice for a 36' boat. You can set up the reefing system to lead back to the cockpit, along the cabin-top, with either a single-line or a two line slab-reefing system.

3) We will need some more information from you in order to figure out the cost of replacement sails. It is almost always to your advantage to contact a North sales rep. close to your sailing area to work with you in deciding how to specify the construction and detailing of new sails for your boat. It doesn't take long and you will probably learn about some things you have not considered yet. If you let us know where you sail we can put you in touch with the closest sales and service office.

4) A fully battened main and mizzen will be a big plus offshore because the sails are much more under control during reefing maneuvers. A full batten mainsail will also allow us to build a mainsail with a more powerful roach area, which may prove to be helpfull in balancing the boat in windward sailing. The luff slide system that you use will determine whether or not you can take advantage of full battens. If you are using external slides on a metal track, you will have trouble with full battens. The Tides luff track will handle the compression loads of the full battens very well.

Regards,
Dan Neri

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