Downwind Sailing- Adding a Drifter

[roland stockham]

I did something very similar but fly a large genoa not an asymetric. Give a bit less drive between 160 and dead down wind but also works for light airs upwind and really powers up a reach so much more versatile. In 10kn it gives 1-2kn more speed and also give a llittle heal so the boat really 'comes to life'

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

I did something very similar but fly a large genoa not an asymetric. Give a bit less drive between 160 and dead down wind but also works for light airs upwind and really powers up a reach so much more versatile. In 10kn it gives 1-2kn more speed and also give a little heal so the boat really 'comes to life'

Yes, basically the "drifter" I was describing was a full cut genoa made of ~2-3 oz. fabric with an LP equivalent to a 140-150%. With the OPs sprit/large J on the Hudson may not need to go that large to get good performance in light air.

Bill O.

[Jolly Roger]

I put socks on my feet. For sailing down wind I use a squaresail.
You know, those sails fitted to quite a few boats in the past.
I can furl and unfurl it on my own from the cockpit and I’ve flown it reefed in 40 knots.