Jib area

[Carlos Molinelli]

I usually sail singlehanded a 34 foot boat, in short cruises.
I have a furled 150% genoa, because winds are below 20 knots most of the time.
Of course, I have the usual problem of reducing sail after furling about 70% of the genoa.
My plan is to have a flying 80% working jib, with a wire luff, with a reef (at about 50% of area).
Hallyard would be double, with a reduction, for proper tension.
What do you think? (specially about the size)
Thanks in advance
carlos

[Charlie]

Bien venido Carlos:

I think that the idea sounds reasonable but you'll get alot of luff sag on a jib like that. I would tend towards a 95% or 100% jib because IMHO the 80% jib is too close to a storm jib. The luff sag might be a big problem.

[GordMay]

Cruising Sail Inventory, from Quantum Sail design,offers some decent advice.
http://www.quantumsails.com/pdf/Crui...0Inventory.pdf

[Carlos Molinelli]

Thank you very much to both of you.
The Quantum manual is clear and useful.
About the excessive luff, you are right that could be a problem.
I was thinking in two ways of giving tension to the luff:
- using something as a vang, close to deck, with at least a 4 to 1 reduction
- A rigger recommended me using a kevlar or spectra halyard, with a block close to the sail.
The halyard is fixed at the top, comes down to the block, reducing the force by half, goes up again, and comes down to the cockpit winches.
He said that I should be careful not to give it too much strenght, only almost the same as the stay...

[GordMay]

Those that aren’t familiar with Sail Measurement, might goto:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...age.php?i=1764
and
http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...age.php?i=1621