Sail questions about my setup

[esarratt]

Thanks again!

I was going through my sail inventory and looking at other boats (same model) as mine and I have some questions.

The boat is described by the builder as a Marconi Cutter Rig with a sail area of 410 sq ft.

The boat has a very large headsail. Why?

On the other boats the owner's have changed and are using a much smaller headsail. Why?

What are the benefits and drawbacks to each sail plan?

[Tayana42]

Most people rig a cutter with a high cut Yankee of about 100 or 110 percent followed by the staysail and the main. The high cut of the Yankee has several advantages. It is smaller and more easily handled than a big Genoa. It doesn't get hung up on the staysail stay while tacking as much as a bigger sail. It doesn't scoop water into the foot when heeled over beating. It is allows better visibility forward than a deck sweeping Genoa. The sheet lead stays in the same place as the sail is partially furled. The disadvantage is that it is smaller and doesn't have the power in light air that a bigger sail has.

My boat, a cutter, has the typical Yankee, staysail, main. I love it. It is easy to balance, easy to adjust the amount of sail set. I almost always sail with the staysail set. The Yankee goes through the slot better with the staysail up. There are occasional times when it would be nice to have more sail area for light air down wind. In fact, I just got quotes for an asymmetrical spinnaker. Too much for me for now. I'll just go slower.


S/V B'Shert

[gjordan]

By any chance is your boat rigged with a removable inner forestay? That would make the large sail easy to handle in lighter winds, or just for daysails. My last boat was a cutter, but I only rigged the inner forestay if I was going offshore, or expected blustery winds. For daysailing the sloop rig was easier. Just a thought. ______Grant.