Placement of Genoa Winch

[MarkSouth]

I have my jenoa on a roller reefing and ran it closer to the working job size on Sunday. Had a good 30 knot wind and sure glad it was reefed. My 26X seems to have a mind of its own sometimes and I try to head up and it just won't do it. Its not until I look at the rudders that I realize I am hard over. Really its spooky! So much for the jenny. I will remember this for the next time the winds are up.

[Tomfoolery]

That was exactly the reason I decided to give the standard jib a try last year. I put it on, but never went sailing again. Pulled my son on a wakeboard, and motored around the Erie Canal with guests, but didn't get to try it.

Sure am glad I tried it this year, though. Much better in heavier air, and safer, too.

Next time out, I need to try putting a reef in. My last boat had jiffy reefing from the cockpit. This one doesn't, so I need to get a little practice putting it in and shaking it out before I really need it. The winds were enough on Sunday that I might have gained some speed with the single reef, but I didn't try it, so I don't know. The outhaul is too short for a reef, so that's yet another thing I need to correct.

[jbousquin]

I put the working jib on my and tried it in a stiff breeze for the first time on Fathers' Day, and I was surprised at how tight to the wind it would point. Not great, like my last boat, but much better than the genoa.

Which got me thinking, is it possible to convert the mast of an to a rotating mast? Would it be worth the trouble? Would it point any higher?

I'll defer anything definitive on that to someone who has actually put an mast on an , but I would think it would make a huge difference. The whole concept behind the rotating mast is that it eliminates turbulence at the luff of the sail that's caused by the wind hitting the mast first before it can get to the sail that is effectively hiding behind it when close hauled. Because the tear-shaped mast rotates into the wind as the boat points, it gets out of the mainsail's way, and the wind can pass over the mast smoothly and hit the sail directly.

On my boat, like I said, beating with the mast pinned vs. unpinned makes a HUGE difference. That, combined with my backstay -- which takes any slack out of my headsail, and thus eliminates turbulence from slack there, too -- makes my boat sail almost as close to the wind as my dad's Cal 39 did growing up on Chesapeake Bay. I think the rotating mast is a huge, difference-making design element that, along with more V in the hull, helps the sail surprisingly well.

The 's mast is also taller than the 's. I don't know how much difference that would make in terms of pointing.

Your question has inspired me to start a new thread on pointing.

Joe

[Highlander]

Genny & Jib I have no issues pointing moving that Genny out in front three more ft sure makes a big diff.
http://s844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 0_2494.mp4



J

[bartmac]

Too much sail will make a Mac head up but the mast rake also has a lot of influence....ours was a lot better once we shortened the forestay to minimum....in stages to see what difference it made.I now think its close to ideal but have run out of stay adjustment.Our Mac was a pig before the adjustment and now even our autopilot will handle well in even a moderate breeze with our new 150% furling genoa.I will shorten our forestay to get some adjustment back and see whether I can take it further.The consequence of taking the rake to far is not something I want to do...some weather helm is good and not sure where the tipping point is to a lee helm is???

[Catigale]

Mark...I don't see how the cam cleats on those aft winches woud ever lock a line with such a sharp down angle from the winch.....especially under genoa-type loads......unless I'm misunderstanding the sheet routing here.

[bscott]

I put the working jib on my and tried it in a stiff breeze for the first time on Fathers' Day, and I was surprised at how tight to the wind it would point. Not great, like my last boat, but much better than the genoa.

Which got me thinking, is it possible to convert the mast of an to a rotating mast? Would it be worth the trouble? Would it point any higher?

I converted my to the rotating mast 3 years ago and have mixed feelings about it. NEGATIVES: It was way more expensive than I anticipated as it required a new main that must be cut with less draft and 2' longer luff. I also installed Harken 140 swivel cleats on the mast so the rotation would not be hampered with halyards led back to the cockpit. I cut my spreaders back 4" so the shrouds lined up in the same location to the chain plates. I also installed dual backstays which allowed the mast to rotate. The extra height and weight aloft of the mast has increased the tenderness of the boat which requires early reefing of the main. Installed a Schaefer Snap Furl but rarely reef the jib-never jammed or fouled and is easy to trim when you need it most
NOW the good: I was able to sell my mast and sails, including the CDI furler and purchased C2000 jib and C2000 main cut flatter and loose footed. The extra 2" height and greater sail square footage captured the higher winds on a calm day--no need for a genny. The boat points at least 7 deg. higher and heals less with the flatter, stiffer sails that benefit from being loose footed=better out haul control. The mast rotates but needs coaxing. My triangle traveler adds better off wind performance and acts as a mini preventer. I rarely use the boom vang.

The boat definately performes better but requires more trimming attention to beat your buddy. If you have a racing background it is worth the cost and effort.

Bob