A scenario related to Don's "Too much scary stuff" thread

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Bash

Scenario:

You have commissioned a new boat that will come with everything required for a maiden voyage from San Francisco to Hawaii, except that it only comes with two sails, a main and a jib. You only have enough cash left over to purchase either a spinnaker or a suit of storm sails.

Which option do you pursue?

Tough crowd Bash…

If it is a new boat and this was my first voyage with her, I would probably save the cash till I got to the other side and assess what my priorities should be.

[sailorboy1]

I think this question gives good insight into thinking for it's topic. But to do so everyone really needs to answer it with 1 of the choices Bash listed instead of changing the focus.

If your boat is otherwise equipped for a trip from SF to Hawaii, except for sails would you get:

1 - a spinnaker
2 - storm sails

[barnakiel]

None. The main will have two reefs and the jib will be on the furler. I keep the spare cash in pocket as a repair fund when we get 'there'.

b.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

None. The main will have two reefs and the jib will be on the furler. I keep the spare cash in pocket as a repair fund when we get 'there'.

b.

+A1..... Don... stop telling me to buy more sails than I need...

[Randyonr3]

A very simple question, storm or kite..
And my only question would be, what time of year..
Did the SSS long-pac a few years ago.. after 3 days, we could still see the farllons.. does that answer your question?

If your trip is in the summer after the pacific high sets in, get the kite and have a great sail..

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

I think this question gives good insight into thinking for it's topic. But to do so everyone really needs to answer it with 1 of the choices Bash listed instead of changing the focus.

If your boat is otherwise equipped for a trip from SF to Hawaii, except for sails would you get:

1 - a spinnaker
2 - storm sails

Are you on commission from a sailmaker?

I think the focus is changing because Bash provided insufficient information as OP to make an informed decision (possibly deliberately. or possibly not ).

Simply saying 1 or 2 without providing the reasoning (and assumptions made - in the absence of hard info ) would generate fairly meaningless results. even if the advantage of being easy to understand............

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Don... stop telling me to buy more sails than I need...

I'm not telling you to buy anything. I'm a firm believer in the "I don't care what boat you sail or what equipment you want on it, it's your boat" camp.

The question isn't really about sails just that sails are the example.

[GeoPowers]

I'd pick a spinnaker.

[Blue Crab]

Don't forget that Bash is some sort of Univ Professor, probably Psychology.

Storm sails.

[roverhi]

A main with 3 reef points and a 135% roller furling jib would be my choice for the two basic sails. You'll definitely need a spinnaker pole as you're almost guaranteed some time sailing DDW and will want to pole out a headsail.

If your boat is 14 meters, an asym. can be quite a handful in the blustery tradewinds that you normally can expect on that downhill slide. If your itinerary is going to be heading further on south, it might be a good sail for lower wind areas. If you are heading back north, an ATN storm jib hopefully won't see any use but may.

If you are going with hank on sails, a 135% genoa and a 110% working jib with reef points would be my choice.

I did the sail solo in '10 and ran wing and wing with the 135% poled out for most of the trip. It was a slightly unusual year as I did a rhumbline to Hilo and the trades seldom blew much over 10 knots. Usually you'll need to go further south and expect tradewinds gusting to as much as 30 knots though still mostly easterly winds.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by roverhi

I did the sail solo in '10 and ran wing and wing with the 135% poled out for most of the trip. It was a slightly unusual year as I did a rhumbline to Hilo and the trades seldom blew much over 10 knots. Usually you'll need to go further south and expect tradewinds gusting to as much as 30 knots though still mostly easterly winds.

My impression for that run is that is about as benign and pleasant as it gets. Lucky fellow.

[Mr B]

My boat came with a Main and a Genoa, Already fitted for use,

I had the original Jib, never used in the forward locker.

Between the Main and the Genoa, I found I didnt need any thing else,

The Genoa I used in the worst weather to run in front of any bad weather,

Depending on the strenght of the wind, In very high winds, Above about 18 knots, I would only have a little bit of Genoa out,

In low winds, up to maybe 18 knots, I would have full Main and full Genoa up,

I dont even know what a storm sail is,

A passing Container ship said it was currently force 6, I had about half the Genoa up at the time, And every thing was running just fine,