[Alberg30] Sail choice for high winds

[Brian and Elaine Timmins]

Jim,
  In answer to some of your questions, a Gale Sail is a storm jib that has a
unique method of attachment. The luff is made up of an extended piece of
sail cloth, about 2' wide. This cloth wraps around the furled jib. At the
end of the cloth away from the sail there are grommets that attach to snap
hooks on the actual luff. This ends up making a tube of fabric that encloses
the headstay / furler / furled sail. Other than this attachment, it is a
storm jib, just like any other.
 I imagine a gale sail should not be used on an inner forestay, or for that
matter, not a normal bare forestay either. The fabric rubbing on the exposed
wire is probably not a good thing. It is designed to be used over a furled
sail.
  The Gale Sail is not designed to be flown free either. The head and tack
are on the actual sail. The tube that surrounds the furled sail is forward
of the luff and would beat itself to death if not wrapped around something.
  A storm jib of any style should not be designed to extend aft of or abaft
of the mast. If you are in a situation where you need to (or want to) "Heave
To" the jib (or storm jib) must be able to sheet to windward and set
properly there. If the sail is large enough to reach the mast, it will tear
on the shrouds.
  A storm jib could be sheeted to either the inner or outer track on an A30.
On the inner track, you'll point better, except in extreme conditions where
you have to foot off anyway. Then your better off sheeted to the rail. If
you need to sail into the wind in storm conditions, the sails must be kept
as flat as possible.
  A hank on style storm jib can be flown from either a bare headstay or an
inner headstay. I believe it is actually better on an inner forestay for two
reasons. First, it will be closer to the center of effort and will cause
less sideways gyrations. Secondly, the further away you can stay from the
bow, the less chance you have of being thrown off the boat.
  I'm not sure if a storm sail can be made to fly on an unsupported wire
luff in real storm conditions (at least not going to weather). It would take
a lot of luff tension to get it to set correctly.
  All the above reflects my opinions and beleifs. It is certainly not meant
to be taken as gospel!! I'm sure others on the list can (and hopefully will)
give differing opinions.
Regards,
Brian    #497
----- Original Message -----
From: <Miabarchet at aol.com>
To: <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 9:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Alberg30] Sail choice for high winds


> HI!
>  Somewhere along the way I must have missed something. I have questions
> regarding  discussions about storm jibs, gale sails, and inner, removable
> forestays. I hope that whoever has an answer to any of the questions will
> jump in.
>
> What is a gale sail? How does it differ from a storm jib? Size? Weight?
> Shape?
> Can or should either  be flown on a inner forestay with a furled jib?
>
> Would either be cut such that if flown on a inner forestay  the center of
> effort would be far enough aft to give the boat reasonale balance when
flown
> alone
>
> If it were cut to extend aft of the mast would it be best to use the inner
> jib track?
>
> Would either of these sails be built with a wire luff to be tacked to the
> deck; used with or without a pennant and raised to a sturdy block attached
to
> a reinforced area of the mast with a halyard?
>
> Regarding John's letter about constructing the deck attachment point for
the
> inner forestay, is the purpose of the 12" wide marine plywood running
athwart
> ship from toe rail to toe rail to take up the side load on the inner
> forestay?
>
> Sorry  for so many questions;  somewhere along the way I got lost.
>
> Jim Allocco
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