[Public-List] New sails

Gordon Laco mainstay at csolve.net
Tue Jul 3 05:42:45 PDT 2018 

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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