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Bash · 02-02-2012, 20:41

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?

**hummingway** · 02-02-2012, 20:44

If the jib is on a reefing furler, a spinnaker, otherwise storm sails.

cat man do · 02-02-2012, 20:55

Make sure the main is up for the job with additional reef points and reinforcements if required.

If heady is hanked on and is a working jib (not genoa) reef points can be done as well.

Could still have enough left over for a good second-hand kite in a squeezer sock and someone's worn (not race quality) lightweight genoa

donradcliffe · 02-02-2012, 21:48

I'd buy a second jib.

msponer · 03-02-2012, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I'd buy a second jib.

Yes, a slightly smaller second jib, and a whisker pole. Then you have double headsails downwind (I'm too lazy for spinnakers anyways) and something to reach or beat with in stronger winds.

Ziggy · 03-02-2012, 00:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bash

[...] a new boat that will come with everything required [...]

The jib must already be on a roller furler and there already is an inner forestay. I would not fly a spinnaker short handed on a blue water passage. I'd get a storm jib.

daddle · 03-02-2012, 01:53

Neither. A spare rudder.

David_Old_Jersey · 03-02-2012, 03:59

Quote:

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?

No idea what the prevailing winds are for that trip - but even if downwind a Spinnaker would not be top of my list.

Not sure what you mean by only having a jib, my priority would be something genoa sized......but if that is on a furler, then I would probably buy neither......albeit I suspect I would more likely regret not having any storm sails (is the plural a Trysail and Storm jib?), than no spinnaker.

Instead I would spend the money on beer

. or I might buy a storm jib only and spend the rest on beer.

But my answer would probably heavily depend on the vessel and what is meant by "come with everything required for a maiden voyage from San Francisco to Hawaii".....as could be other things I would like onboard for that money, which others may not consider neccessary.

sailorboy1 · 03-02-2012, 04:40

a classic half empty or half full question

I would get a spinnaker and am not going to join the reasoning argument.

Ziggy · 03-02-2012, 04:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddle

Neither. A spare rudder.

He said it has everything else required--must already have a spare rudder.

**boatman61** · 03-02-2012, 05:18

Neither... as the boats 'fully equipped'... assuming rollerfurling else hank on would have been mentioned...
I'm rarely in a rush..

**capngeo** · 03-02-2012, 07:03

Neither.... I'd put the cash towards deck space on a freighter for the boat, and a first class airline ticket for myself!

**boatman61** · 03-02-2012, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by capngeo

Neither.... I'd put the cash towards deck space on a freighter for the boat, and a first class airline ticket for myself!

$&*T............ your sailmakers are expensive....

S/V Alchemy · 03-02-2012, 10:27

Quote:

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?

A lot would depend on the make of boat. A seakindly boat, all things being equal, would whip about less in theory, which is easier on the sails, arguing for the spinnaker to get there faster.

But in all likelihood I would get the suit of storm sails (silly question as a storm jib, staysail and trysail would cost more than a spinnaker!), as it's a long passage with plenty of gaps from rescue or proximity to sealanes. If you have to get there under your own steam, better at 3 knots with storm canvas than adrift with shreds.