Genoa vs Yankee?

  • January 15, 2016 7:23 PM
    Message # 3762545
    Deleted user

    I've just taken possession of my WS28 and it has both a Yankee and a 100% Genoa (Hank on) as I'm a single handler I find handling on sails painful, and wish to have just one option on a furler. The previous owner was stoked with the Genoa and I have found it very powerful compared to the Yankee/staysail combo. My concern is am I putting too much load on the bowsprit? Does anyone else use a furling Genoa? 



  • January 15, 2016 8:47 PM
    Reply # 3762570 on 3762545
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Rob: 

    Congrats on the new to you W28... the adventure begins!  

    I sail on Pygmalion W32 on the SF Bay and find that the furled Yankee 300 sf works great. We do have a wide range of winds and so the use of a Genoa isn't really needed most of the time... but in light wind areas - a large head sail would be very nice to have. 

    The jib furler keeps me off the bowsprit while underway and I can control the sail size from the cockpit.  Others stick with the hanked on sails as being simple and jam proof.  

     As far as loads on the bowsprit, assuming that the bowsprit is in good condition - check for dry rot and the standing rigging etc... your genoa shouldn't overload your bowsprit... 

    As a new boat owner - I would recommend that you carefully check over the standing rigging, bowsprit and boomkins as well as the engine - thru hulls etc.    

    Please see the web page under Members' Area > Westsail Fixes and FAQ's there are a lot of fixes and updates recorded - also Members' Area > Items that break. 

    There are quite a few W28 owners on the site - you should be hearing from them soon. 

    Welcome aboard.

    Jay Bietz

    Webmaster

     


    Last modified: January 17, 2016 8:34 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • January 16, 2016 8:46 AM
    Reply # 3763201 on 3762545
    Deleted user

    Rob.............

    When I bought TAMZIN (W32) she came with a big genny on a Profurler.  Although very powerful it seemed to me ,even without prior experience in a W32, that the boat was over powered and seemed to sort of 'squish' down by the bow.  Of course you're supposed to be able to roll the sail in as the wind picks up but it would lose shape and performance with even the lightest reduction in area.  I finally had the genny recut to the specs for a Super Yankee on the furler and rigged a hanked on staysail.  What a difference.  The bow came up, the boat just 'feels' better and there's substantially more control in varying wind conditions.  I don't have any imperica data to support the above, it just seems that things are they way they're supposed to be with the cutter rig.

  • January 16, 2016 12:01 PM
    Reply # 3763608 on 3762545

    Hi Rob , welcome to WOA . On our 28 W we have the stock Yankee on a Profurl roller furler  , and we also have the stock Kern Drifter as well as the Staysail and that is on the Staysail boom . We also have a down wind pole , that pole is used to pole out the Yankee to Windward and then we run the Drifter to Leeward , and that is a hoot we can't get enough that . My thoughts on your Genoa is to keep it and use it like a drifter when you have crew . And I would get roller furling . Side note : it is a popular misconception among the general misinformed sailing community that we need gale force wind to make our boats move , In fact anything over 15 kts. and we reef , Main first , Staysail second Yankee last . To just reef or take down the Yankee first is a mistake . At least on a W28 .  I hope that helps Rob . Congrats on your W28 ! What # is she ? And what is your general location ?

  • January 17, 2016 9:38 PM
    Reply # 3765495 on 3762545
    Deleted user

    1978 hull number WSSF00630578

      what number does that make her?


    current location 2nm north of cape howe NSW Australia enroute westernport Victoria 


    thanks for your help , I think I'll try the furler on the Yankee with a widow maker on the staysail 


    regards

    Rob

  • January 18, 2016 9:46 AM
    Reply # 3766558 on 3762545

    Hi Rob , again congratulations on your W28 , you are the proud owner of a factory finished W28 # 63 and the hull was laid up in May of 1978 . Keep us posted mate ! 

  • January 18, 2016 3:54 PM
    Reply # 3767024 on 3762545

    Hello Rob and Welcome!,

    We have owned 2 different W28's and have sailed them both with and without roller furling.  Being old and set in my ways I sailed with hank on sails until a couple years ago when I decided to join the twentieth century.  Yes, I realize its now the 21st century, but I seem to make changes slooowly...  I finally switched to roller furling for the same reasons you are considering it. 

    Our current headsail inventory now consists of a roller reefable 130% Genoa, Staysail, 110% Staysail Genoa and Crusing Spinnaker.  We installed a Schaeffer Roller Furler and had the 130% Genoa modified (luff tape and cover) to fit the furler.  We are now able to roll/furl the 130% down to about a 100% and still maintain good sail shape.   For light air Summer sailing (common) here in the Pacific Northwest we use the Staysail Genoa and full 130% Genoa.  In the Fall and Winter months we generally have no wind or LOTS of wind so we use the standard Staysail and the 130% Genoa rolled down to 100% when there is a good breeze.

    As others have said our first reef is always the mainsail, then we start rolling up some of the headsail, and if needed put a second reef in the main.  In strong breezes of 25 plus knots, a completely rolled Genoa with the double reefed main and staysail balance our boat quite nicely. 

    How you load your boat will affect how she sails, the 28"s tend to be stern heavy, you may find that moving gear and shifting the center of balance will have a great effect on how well your boat balances under sail.

    Good luck and Fair Winds!

    Kevin 

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