Question on genoa usage

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
Post Reply
trswem
Chief Steward
Posts: 61
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2023 1:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: Spokane, WA

Question on genoa usage

Post by trswem »

Howdy folks. I had my local sail shop make me a 125% hank on genoa to be used for light air cruising. My plan is to use this for winds <10 knots and switch to my stock jib at anything above that. I'm curious what it's like using a 125% on winds over 10kts. Are we healing pretty hard at 15? I'll go out an experiment of course, but I'd love to hear your experience with hank on genoas and how are boats behave. Thanks!
User avatar
Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2478
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by Ixneigh »

On my M model, the hank on standard jib is good in ten knots. But I like to keep the heel to a minimum because of my dogs, and don’t mind the half a knot hit in speed. Highlander is the undisputed headsail champ, so maybe he can give an opinion
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
User avatar
Stickinthemud57
Captain
Posts: 786
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 7:50 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26S
Location: Grapevine, Texas
Contact:

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by Stickinthemud57 »

I have a 26S, similar to yours, but not quite the same.

Before I went to the Big Jib rig, I used a 150% genoa most of the time. I found I could manage it OK in winds up to about 13-14 mph, but I was dumping a lot of wind out of the main to ease heeling and rounding up. Above that I would go with the standard jib, but still needed to reef the main as winds got much above 16 mph.

Early on, I replaced my standard rudder with an airfoil rudder and noticed an improvement in heeling and rounding up. If you still have the standard rudder that will play into the equation.
The key to inner peace is to admit you have a problem and leave it at that.
Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
Admiral
Posts: 1006
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:28 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
Location: Oconomowoc, WI

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL »

I prefer hanked-on head sails (instead of RF). It makes it a lot easier to get the mast up and down, and trailer. I
always have a head sail down haul line attached to the top or second hank, through some fairleads aft to the cockpit so I can drop it if it's too much.
I'm working on a self-tacking jib on my current Mac, a '90 26D.
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4975
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by dlandersson »

Heeling at 15 knots is more of a function of your main, not your genoa. 8)
trswem wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2024 11:46 am Howdy folks. I had my local sail shop make me a 125% hank on genoa to be used for light air cruising. My plan is to use this for winds <10 knots and switch to my stock jib at anything above that. I'm curious what it's like using a 125% on winds over 10kts. Are we healing pretty hard at 15? I'll go out an experiment of course, but I'd love to hear your experience with hank on genoas and how are boats behave. Thanks!
User avatar
Stickinthemud57
Captain
Posts: 786
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 7:50 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26S
Location: Grapevine, Texas
Contact:

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by Stickinthemud57 »

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote: Tue May 28, 2024 6:09 pm I prefer hanked-on head sails (instead of RF). It makes it a lot easier to get the mast up and down, and trailer. I
always have a head sail down haul line attached to the top or second hank, through some fairleads aft to the cockpit so I can drop it if it's too much.
I'm working on a self-tacking jib on my current Mac, a '90 26D.
You might want to check out my self-tacking rig:
https://macgregorsailors.com/forum/view ... ng#p366891

If I recall correctly, that headsail is from an Etchells 22. They are plentiful on the used market.
The key to inner peace is to admit you have a problem and leave it at that.
DaveC426913
Admiral
Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:05 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Toronto Canada
Contact:

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by DaveC426913 »

I've got a 150 genny on a furler.
Yeah, I heel pretty good in 15 knots. 25 degrees sustained. She wants to round up so I keep the main in-hand and ease it regularly, so I end up sort "scalloping".
But with the furler I can just reel in 50% or more.
MacX 2000 Honda BF50A 'SeaSaw'
Gotro
Engineer
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:25 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Houston Texas
Contact:

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by Gotro »

On my 26 x i have 125 hank on. Bought it used in good condition. I have great success up about 18 knots over that I experienced uncontrollable weather helm. That particular time it was the only sail up . Had boat speed around 6.5 downwind. Really love that sail easy to drop and tie down when the winds get to much
User avatar
Herschel
Admiral
Posts: 1499
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:22 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Orlando, Florida
Contact:

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by Herschel »

Gotro wrote: Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:35 am On my 26 x i have 125 hank on. Bought it used in good condition. I have great success up about 18 knots over that I experienced uncontrollable weather helm. That particular time it was the only sail up . Had boat speed around 6.5 downwind. Really love that sail easy to drop and tie down when the winds get to much
I had a similar experience when I went through a period of "Genoa only" sailing and didn't even use my main at all. I have a roller fuller, so it was easy to reef as needed, but I was mainly sailing on a round lake about five miles wide and just enjoying beam or broad reaches back and forth.

Image
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4975
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by dlandersson »

Ditto 8)
Herschel wrote: Mon Jun 03, 2024 7:59 pm
Gotro wrote: Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:35 am On my 26 x i have 125 hank on. Bought it used in good condition. I have great success up about 18 knots over that I experienced uncontrollable weather helm. That particular time it was the only sail up . Had boat speed around 6.5 downwind. Really love that sail easy to drop and tie down when the winds get to much
I had a similar experience when I went through a period of "Genoa only" sailing and didn't even use my main at all. I have a roller fuller, so it was easy to reef as needed, but I was mainly sailing on a round lake about five miles wide and just enjoying beam or broad reaches back and forth.

Image
User avatar
NiceAft
Admiral
Posts: 6754
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk

Re: Question on genoa usage

Post by NiceAft »

When sailing downwind with both the Genoa and the main, wing on wing is a thing of beauty.
Ray ~~_/)~~
Post Reply