In a message dated 4/6/2006 1:35:11 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Which sail is the "powerhouse" for driving the boat? I've been told the jib is the powerhouse and the main is just trim. I've been told the main is the powerhouse and the jib is for speed. Please help me know what is accurate for MY boat.
I'm sure that you will get a lot of advice, and everybody's will be different :)
The Catalina 27 is a mast head rigged sloop ( sometimes called a Bermuda), which means that the forestay is connected to the top of the mast. In this case most of the drive for the boat comes from the Jib or Genoa sail. Balance and some drive comes from the main. The another type of sloop has what is called a fractional rig, its forestay is connected about 7/8 the way up the mast, and it gets most of its drive from a bigger main and some drive and a lot of balance from the jib.
I have a 1973 C27, and size of my genny is about 135% of the area of the fore triangle ( the triangle made by the mast, deck and forestay)
So FWIW, on a close reach, or close hauled, at about 14 knots of apparent wind (real wind speed =16 and boat is close hauled at about 5), the genny starts pushing the boat over 20 degrees of list (even with the main almost flogging) and I know I have to change out my sail. My next smaller sail is 110% or sometimes called a lapper, because it just overlaps the mast. I start getting a lot of list at about 20 knots over the deck, and usually take a reef in the main at this point. This is also about the time small craft warnings are flying. At 23 or 24 knots I reduce the lapper to a jib, which has an area of 90%. And fair weather sailor that I am, start looking for the way home, because the wind waves are getting pretty steep. I can still take another reef in my main, ( I have two sets of reef points in mine) or even furl it away, but I really don't want to go forward again to do another sail change, and this about when gale warnings appear anyway.
This is all sailing into the wind. On a beam reach, I follow the same principle, reduce the jib first, then reef the main, when the boat starts getting overpowered (leaning too much if the wind is from the side, or if going downwind, the deck starts slanting down toward the bow, which means the sails are pushing the bow under). Going down wind you either want to be going a little slower than the waves or quite a bit faster. This keeps water moving over your keel and rudder. and gives you control. Most boats sail a little faster about 10 or 15 degrees to one side or the other of dead down wind (the wind right at your back), so if your destination is DDW, you can sometimes get their a little sooner by gybing down wind.
I hope I've given you what your looking for, I'm sure our list mates will correct any of my errors and misconceptions :)
Fair winds and I hope you enjoy your new boat.
Jim,"Whiskey Girl"
Dana Point, CA
