coastal cruiser genoa cloth

[gettinthere]

For those of you coastal cruising, not doing week long or more off shore sailing, what sail cloth do you find works well? By 'well', a combination of performance and longevity.

We see a lot of 5 to 20 knot sailing. Rarely out very long in wind over 20k.

Genoa will likely be a 135 on a 42' sloop on a furler. No other head sail. Probably dacron; but cut and weight are open to discussion.

Thanks

[TheOffice]

I went with 8 oz dacron for my 35. After one season I am pleased with it in varying wind conditions.

[gettinthere]

8 0z isn't too heavy in light air? is this a large genoa?

[TheOffice]

Its a 135. Under 5 knots of wind I am motoring. Its fine in 6-8 and up.

[Rodz]

I would like to "reheat" this subject. What in your opinion should be the weight of the Dakron cloth for 155% genoa on the 36-footer. The cruising/racing is on the Great Lakes with winds mostly below 20k but sometimes .... there is no choice.

[GypsyHawk]

I have just researched and purchased a new headsail - 8oz dacron for coastal and bluewater cruising longevity. There are very different qualities in dacron sailcloth so go for the best you can get from your sailmaker.
Alan SV Gypsy Hawk

[Kestrahl]

Originally Posted by Rodz

I would like to "reheat" this subject. What in your opinion should be the weight of the Dakron cloth for 155% genoa on the 36-footer. The cruising/racing is on the Great Lakes with winds mostly below 20k but sometimes .... there is no choice.

Probably around 6.5 - 7oz. And just out of interest we did some racing in light airs with a heavy no1 about 8oz carbon cruise and it has to be a real drifter before there is any disadvantage to the heavier cloth (if you were cruising you would be motoring).