Hi Gary: Hogin Sails in Alameda made the Gennaker for my M15. It's approx 144 sf, 1 1/4 ounces. The star is light blue with a deep purple border. It's a high quality product. Hogin has retired and moved to Florida. I've been trying to reach his replacement also called Hogin Sails, but no success, yet.
I run 1/8" stiff sta-set sheets forward of the forestay and all the way back to small cam cleats near the stern. The downhual attaches to the tack of the sail at the inside top of the bow pulpet. As long as there's some wind, I have no problem jibing without having to go forward to free the sheets. Bob Hogin recommended not hoisting the main when going downwind with the Gennaker. I think it's alot more fun that way. It's a pleasant site watching your own big colorful sail all by itself. When reaching I might hoist the main if it's a long tack. Dousing the sail is a snap, even in high winds. I think of it as stuffing a hankerchef into my sport coat pocket (If you've ever struggled with spinnakers on 40 boats, you'll agree). I can't imagine being without a gennaker. It ads so much more to your sailing experience. With such a short forestay, downwind sailing isn't as exciting with a genny or even drifter, in my opinion. I was going 5.5 mph at Trinity in 10 plus knot winds according to my GPS, with only the Gennaker. Rich Cottrell _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
