We ordered a new headsail this winter.
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:29 am
The size. What a decision. I love to sail my boat. For an old boat, the Alden Challenger has good SA/D horsepower, around 17.5. The genny that came with the boat is a 150% (a bit more in fact). Not a bad shape in most conditions. The previous owners raced the boat in southern New England so the sail made sense for them.
One of the biggest problems is it's not a handy sail if you're doing any tacking (without a crew), such as sailing in and out of harbors and anchorages, something I love to do. It's a lot of cloth to bring across the foredeck and over the shrouds.
And of course as you go off the wind, the 150% becomes less of an advantage, often a disadvantage as it becomes too much sail for the angle off the wind.
So what size? I was happiest all around on my last boat with a 120. While I also had a 150, I rarely used it and then only in very light air if we were racing. While it was tempting (another 120), light air is what I like to sail in most here on Penobscot Bay, so I decided the 135% will be the best compromise. Having spent so much time with this 150 (10 years), I can see more advantages than disadvantages to the smaller sail. I think I'll be able to trim it to a faster shape, especially off the wind, and be as well off (better now due to the lost shape of the old 150 of course).
And in the "handy" department, I can see sailing in and out of places like Rockport or Pulpit Harbor for instance, where tacking is expected, the smaller sail will be a relief. My sailmaker assures me rolling it down to 120 or even a bit more, I'll still have a good shape. The old sail rolled to a manageable tacker was all but useless except down wind. In light air and tight areas like these, a smaller sail with a good shape that's easy to tack, can be faster than a larger sail that costs speed in tacking.
I shopped around on the internet and got a lot of quotes and advice and ultimately found the best of both right in my back yard with Pope Sails in Rockland. It's worth more money for me to use our local economy but in fact, Doug Pope was competitive and well recommended here. Plus, I'll be taking my old sail in to confirm measurements and design.
In another season or two, we'll replace the main. I'm so looking forward to sailing this season. What's you favorite headsail on your boat?
One of the biggest problems is it's not a handy sail if you're doing any tacking (without a crew), such as sailing in and out of harbors and anchorages, something I love to do. It's a lot of cloth to bring across the foredeck and over the shrouds.
And of course as you go off the wind, the 150% becomes less of an advantage, often a disadvantage as it becomes too much sail for the angle off the wind.
So what size? I was happiest all around on my last boat with a 120. While I also had a 150, I rarely used it and then only in very light air if we were racing. While it was tempting (another 120), light air is what I like to sail in most here on Penobscot Bay, so I decided the 135% will be the best compromise. Having spent so much time with this 150 (10 years), I can see more advantages than disadvantages to the smaller sail. I think I'll be able to trim it to a faster shape, especially off the wind, and be as well off (better now due to the lost shape of the old 150 of course).
And in the "handy" department, I can see sailing in and out of places like Rockport or Pulpit Harbor for instance, where tacking is expected, the smaller sail will be a relief. My sailmaker assures me rolling it down to 120 or even a bit more, I'll still have a good shape. The old sail rolled to a manageable tacker was all but useless except down wind. In light air and tight areas like these, a smaller sail with a good shape that's easy to tack, can be faster than a larger sail that costs speed in tacking.
I shopped around on the internet and got a lot of quotes and advice and ultimately found the best of both right in my back yard with Pope Sails in Rockland. It's worth more money for me to use our local economy but in fact, Doug Pope was competitive and well recommended here. Plus, I'll be taking my old sail in to confirm measurements and design.
In another season or two, we'll replace the main. I'm so looking forward to sailing this season. What's you favorite headsail on your boat?