One thing you might want to keep in mind about storm jibs... the ones that I have seen that people have had for years are in almost new condition because they are barely ever used. The material is so heavy because they are designed for a near gale of wind. Most of the storm jibs I have seen are designed for emergency type conditions and are not generally used for pleasure sailing. Perhaps on a boat as small as the M15 or 17 this is not the case, but personally, I think you would get more use from a 70 or 80% jib, and if its reefable all the better.
Jeff M23 "Clarity" Still snowing in Marcus WA ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Poulakis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 12:52 AM Subject: M_Boats: Heavy Weather Jibs > Thanks for the replies Bert and Tim. > > I haven't found a button or link to reply to a specific thread, hence > the new heading (I'm using Safari if that makes any difference). > > Tim, > You gave me a good feel for what to expect in an M-17 as the winds > build. Although the original choices were a storm jib, a #4, or both, > I'm now considering a reefable 80%. Tim, if you're getting by in 30 > knot winds with the working jib (which is ~ 75 sq ft at ~110%) then it > seems like an 80% (50 sq ft) would be very useful. Although we SF Bay > sailors like to blather on about our 30+ knot winds, the truth is that > it's more often in the low to mid 20's - and typically doesn't build up > to that until 2:00 pm. So from your description it seems like an 80% > would see a lot of use. With the reef points it could still be > shortened down to credible storm jib. Yes, changing the clew on a > reefing jib is a hassle - The technique I've used in the past requires > an autopilot and a temporary sheet with a carabiner - but that's for > another thread. > > Bert, > Sailmakers are a great source of advice and I've talked to a few. > Here's what they indicate for M-17 heavy weather jibs: > > Storm jib: 24 ft^2 (one sailmaker said that an M-17 storm jib was about > 50% J) > 70%: 35 ft^2 > 80%: 50 ft^2 > > The lowest (boatshow) price for a storm jib was $184 for a 7.03oz > dacron sail from Hogin Sails www.hoginsails.com > > As an aside, I was told by a well meaning-representative of Pinapple > Sails that people in 17'ers had no need for storm jibs. According to > her, storm jibs were only for world travelers who needed to claw off > lee shores in 50 knot winds. Small boat sailors NEVER faced these > conditions. Uhh, well... Lemme tell y'all about my first attempt to > round point Lopez in my 27' Albin back in '90... > > Thanks again guys, > > Jim Poulakis > "Spirit" M-17 #648 > > > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
