Lavezzi 40: Screecher ?

[Dragon Lady]

Hi all, just wondering what people with Lavezzis think about screechers?

My delivery skipper has suggested getting one for the pacific crossing.

So I'm just wondering what peoples experiences with them on Lavezzis are?

[muskoka]

I just purchased a Doyle mylar screecher for my Lavezzi. The sail is 52 sm and uses a Profurl continuous line furler with an anti-torque rope sewn into the luff. It'll be rigged off the bowsprit. I haven't had the chance to use it yet though! Cost for the sail was about $2400. plus furler.

I bought it because we have a lot of light winds here in the summer months. I plan to fly it in sub 12 knot winds. I think it'll vastly expand our sailing season and light air performance.

[Le Doume]

Hi ,
For a long passage , I do recommend the screecher , we have one and we used it qite a lot on our way to Noumea last year. It is good up to 14 / 15 knots of breeze with wind angle between 100 and 135 . FP recommand that it be taken down when breeze freshened or when at anchor or in marina .
Enjoy your crossing .
Cheers

[yeloya]

Wehad one LAvezzi in our marina with a factory supplied screecher. It is very similar to what Muskoka describe. I cannot tell you the exact ge/sqm but it's not a very light fabric. I saşled her couple of times with the owner and it works pretty well up to 20 knots true from 65-70 degrees up to 140. If yoy intend to use for lighter winds, I would recommend a bit lighter fabric. I believe not only Lavezzi, but every catamaran has to have it, given that after 120 degrees, they don't sail very good.
I will order one as well for my Atlantic trip.

Cheers

Yeloya

[Wayward Wind]

Please share your experiences with the continuous line furler. Is it easy for single-handed use?

[DtM]

HI John,

Good to see you still on the forum even though the Mahe is sold.

We put a continuous line furler on our screecher very early on because the drum supplied by FP was ridiculously small.

It works very well and line runs down the port side and is handled right next to the screecher sheet winch. We leave our furling line permanently in place even though the furler itself is removed with the screecher when not in use.

daniel

[Wayward Wind]

Hi Daniel
The Mahe is still with me. I had it up for sale briefly with the view of upsizing, but I found that the size suited me fine as I was sailing short handed all the time, so it is not for sale.
The drum supplied by FP frustrates me as I short-hand. I want to use it as I have paid for the screecher but I don't want to traumatise Kim by hanging on the bowsprit "playing" with the line and drum, with the coastline looking a long long way away.
So, I am looking to see how it can be done single-handed, and it looks as though continuous is the way to go. But, can it be done single-handed?
John

[DtM]

Sorry John,

Missed your post.

Yes it can be done single handed and very easily.

If you come up to Pittwater have a look at the set up we have.

[Wayward Wind]

Thanks, Daniel. I look forward to it. I will PM you when I next head up that way.

[Dragon Lady]

What weight sail cloth is everyone using?
I'm looking at a second hand spinnaker with .9 oz cloth, do you guys think that is too light?

[Le Doume]

Hi Dragon Lady
My screecher which is on a furler on the proderis a 15 oz , same with the spinaker which is in a sock that I hoist with the second halyard that I have had installed .

Cheers

[DtM]

Like all sails, it depends what wind strength you fly it in.

I am not a sailmaker but I would have thought that sail would need to come down (be furled) at about 12 to 15 knots given the angles you would likely be sailing at.

Is it an old asymetric spinnaker?

[Le Doume]

I have carried my screecher ( Genaker) with 20 to 25 knots TWS with no problem at all with 100 to 130 degrees wind angle ( collapses with any thing greater than that ) , then just furled it when it became too gusty. I just furl it but leave it up on the halyard.
The spinaker ( ASSO) comes down earlier as it involves a little more man handling to bring the sock down and then lower the halyard to stowe it in its bag but as the tack is on the opposite hull to the sheet it good up to 165 / 170 wind angle .
Cheers

[Dragon Lady]

Hi Guys,

It has hardly been used use according to the vendor, but he warned it would only be good for light winds so I think I'll pass.
Le Dome did you get my email re our issue with FP?

[Dragon Lady]

Hi again guys,

I'm now going to take the plunge and order a screecher.
As my boat does not have a bowsprit I will need to buy a factory one or manufacture one.
Has anyone had any experiance or opinions on non factory bowsprites.
Also what furlers are best?
I noted that a few of you are not happy with your factory furlers.