[Public-List] New sails

Tue Jul 3 06:01:11 PDT 2018

A good traveler helps a lot.

On Tue, Jul 3, 2018, 8:42 AM Gordon Laco via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Good day Marcello -
>
> It’s true that the presence of a mainsail damps pumping of the rig when
> pitching in a head sea… but that’s not an issue for masts like ours, only
> for poorly stayed masts.
>
> Jacklines on the lower luff to facilitate reefing are important.
>
> Rather than assign wind speeds, it’s better to refer to the yacht’s
> situation when discussing when to shorten sail.
>
> So when the rail is dipping more than occasionally, and being narrow and
> tender, this will happen sooner (that is lower wind speeds) than in stiffer
> and beamier boats, the first step is flattening the main and doing the old
> ‘fisherman’s reef’, that is sailing with a slightly luffing main.  It’s
> good seamanship to reduce sail from aft… So when this is no longer enough
> to keep the rail out of the water without letting the sail flog, take your
> first reef.
>
> When sailing with a bubble in the main (that is the fisherman’s reef
> again) isn’t enough to keep the rail out of the water, you can reef again,
> or change headsails.
>
> As others have confirmed, reefing by rolling the headsail not only
> shortens the life of the sail significantly, it also results in a bad,
> baggy sail shape, which although smaller, may actually impart more heeling
> force and less forward drive than the full properly shaped sail did.
>
> Sailing with a full main and a smaller headsail can result in heavy helm,
> particularly if your main is worn out (I’m not referring to strength,
> rather I’m referring to it’s shape and where the draft is)
>
> You’ll find your boat will sail quite happily under just her genoa… so
> sailing without the main in heavier air can be quite comfortable and is
> good seamanship.
>
> I’ve tried to avoid numbers… but here’s a couple… due to the
> characteristics of the Alberg 30, a general truism is that our boats can
> stand heeling up to about 18 degrees before heeling becomes detrimental; so
> you can look to the leeward rail as your indicator.  When it’s dipping
> regularly, you’re slowing down.
>
> Observe the basics of good seamanship (don’t reef with the furler. shorten
> sail from aft first to preserve steering balance…) and experiment, see what
> you and your boat likes…
>
> Gordon Laco
> www.gordonlaco.com
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 3, 2018, at 8:18 AM, Marcelo D. Gentinetta via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for all the good input. This of course generates more questions.
> > 1. Don mentions sailing with just the 135% out in winds over 25k. My
> understanding of this is that this arrangement places more stress on the
> mast due to pumping of the rig. Is this a fallacy?
> > 2. My present main has jacklines at the luff to accommodate reefing and
> also to offset the tack aft. Is this the standard arrangement or are there
> other ways to achieve the same purpose?
> > 3. So if I refrain from using the furler to reduce headsail size which I
> understand may damage the sail, what is the best order of sail reduction
> and still maintain balance? Main 1st reef, 2nd reef, headsail only?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> On Jul 3, 2018, at 7:01 AM, Gordon Laco via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> I agree completely…
> >>
> >> You should still change sails as required as you did before… but it
> will be easier and quicker than with hanks.  I’d suggest a 150 for
> everyday, and a smaller sail for heavier air is a good combination.
> >>
> >> Gordon Laco
> >> #426 Surprise
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Jul 3, 2018, at 5:35 AM, Jonathan Bresler via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Marcelo,
> >>>
> >>> Suggest not using the furler for reefing.  Even with foam in the luff,
> the
> >>> sail does not set near as well as it does when fully deployed.  The
> >>> stresses placed on the sail by the higher wind speeds fall at locations
> >>> that are not designed to handle them....no tack and head patches
> increasing
> >>> the thickness of the sail from single ply to two, three or more.
> >>>
> >>> Would suggest removing the larger sail from the furler and sliding a
> >>> smaller one up the slot in higher winds.  This is what I will be doing,
> >>> once i purchase a smaller headsail.
> >>>
> >>> Agree with you fully regarding the convenience of a headsail furler.  I
> >>> singlehand a lot, folding a sail alone is a real hassle.  Would be
> tempted
> >>> to sail less if I had to do so regularly.
> >>>
> >>> Jonathan
> >>>
> >>> On Mon, Jul 2, 2018 at 9:43 PM, Michael Connolly via Public-List <
> >>> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Marcelo,
> >>>> My first reaction is option number 3. Bend on the 150 when you know
> it is
> >>>> going to be light, i.e., summer time. What type of sailing do you do?
> Any
> >>>> racing? Daysailing mostly?
> >>>> The main would be good to have two reef points. If only one reef make
> it a
> >>>> hefty one, like half way between what would be a first and second
> reef. If
> >>>> you plan to have a loose footed main or a shelf in the foot fashion a
> >>>> decent outhaul that can be employed on any point of sail.
> >>>> BTW I dislike using the headsail furler for reefing. While your
> Vanguard
> >>>> sail selection might be considered antiquated by todays standards I
> like
> >>>> that style.
> >>>> Happy sailing,
> >>>> Michael #133
> >>>>
> >>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>>
> >>>> From: "Marcelo D. Gentinetta via Public-List"
> <public-list at lists.alberg30.
> >>>> org>
> >>>> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> >>>>
> >>>> Cc: "Marcelo D. Gentinetta" <vanguard64 at cox.net>
> >>>> Sent: Monday, July 2, 2018 9:18:05 PM
> >>>> Subject: [Public-List] New sails
> >>>>
> >>>> Greetings from New Orleans.
> >>>> I would like to field different opinions on the subject of sails,
> >>>> specifically furler headsail size. I have started sailing my A30 just
> in
> >>>> the last month after 1year spent refitting her. I bought her with a
> 10y old
> >>>> mainsail that needs replacement and a 7y old 150% genoa (very good
> >>>> condition but no foam in luff) on a Profurl furler. On my previous
> boat,
> >>>> Pearson Vanguard, I had hank on headsails. So, I had a 90% jib, 125%
> and
> >>>> 150% genoas and I would select them accordingly. Now, aside from
> seeing the
> >>>> real convenience of a headsail furler, I find myself questioning what
> size
> >>>> headsail would best fit most conditions encountered here throughout
> the
> >>>> year. I am also planning on purchasing a new main but that is pretty
> >>>> straightforward. Summer winds here are between 5-12k and then they
> pick up
> >>>> in the fall, winter and spring. As fronts move in, we’ll go out in
> 15-20k
> >>>> gusting to 25k. Over 25k we’ll usually stay in port. So here are some
> >>>> options I have been toiling with.
> >>>> 1. New main plus my present 150% genoa with added foam pad in the
> luff for
> >>>> better shape when partially furled.
> >>>> 2. New main plus a 125% genoa with foam pad luff “fall/winter sail”
> and
> >>>> keep the 150% as is for summer use.
> >>>> 3. New main plus 135-140% genoa with foam pad luff and keep the 150%
> as
> >>>> spare.
> >>>>
> >>>> I appreciate your input. Hopefully, it won’t be as contentious as
> anchor
> >>>> selection.
> >>>> Marcelo
> >>>> #441 Alegría
> >>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Jonathan M Bresler
> >>> S/V Constance Alberg 30 #262
> >>> Annapolis/Eastport MD
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> >>
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