Submitted on December 12, 2005

Question: I'd like to get a storm trysail for my boat (Sweden Yachts 36). Mainsail dimensions P=43.5 E=13.2 feet. What size sail do you recommend?

I had planned to install a separate track. The spreaders are about 1/2 way between the boom and the mast top, I guess. A rigger told me that the sail luff would be too short (track can't extend above spreaders) and I would need to use the mainsail track. I've seen some photos in books where the trysail head is below the spreader. What do you think?

Answer: Hi,

We could design a functional trysail for you with the track ending below the spreader. Based on Offshore Racing Council Safety Regulations, a storm trysail for your boat should be No Larger than 100 sq ft. (The trysail area formula is P*E*.175) Many of our more experienced offshore cruising customers feel that the ORC Maximum sized storm sails are too large for use by cruising sailors in true storm conditions. So you could look at a sail anywhere between 80 and 100 sq ft. The luff/foot aspect ratio of most trysails is about 2:1. A 100 sq ft sail could measure roughly; Luff= 20', foot= 10', leech= 23'. This sail would sheet to the rail of your boat somewhere around the forward leg of the pushpit. The luff length of a 80 sq ft sail would be about 18'.

Regards,
Dan Neri

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