Need New Headsail

[Max Schumacher]

My working jib is trashed and plan to replace it with a genoa.
There must be an optimum size for the 26X, where it could still be unfurled on the CDI to a 100% and the sheets then run through the cars on the cabin top rails. The winds at our mountain lake can be quite flukey and there is no need to make maximum headway. I was thinking a 125% or 135% would do the job.
Any and all suggestions or advice are welcome.
Max

[dclark]

Much bigger then a Jib and you'll need to run the sheets outside the shrouds. But that's not a problem, you can roll it up as small as you'd like and still leave the sheets outside the shrouds. Just get the Genny and some blocks then toss the jib blocks. You'll forget all about it in no time.

[Frank C]

H'lo Max, welcome! I noted you posted the same question a couple of weeks ago, but got no response. That's probably because the same topic had been recently discussed at some length. A quick search turns up these threads among many:

What Size Genoa (you posted in this thread, found no answers?)
Jib vs. 150 Genoa
Sailing Main & Jib
Sailing Upwind

Also, don't forget that adding mainsail controls, and a mid-reefing point are just as important - maybe more important to having fun in our boats - than a fancy headsail.

The short answer ... I knew I didn't want a 150 on SF Bay, so I ordered a mylar 135. It's still probably too much for the majority of my sailing, but it's nice to have when trailering inland or going off SoCal's coast. If I was going to stay on SF Bay, I might rather have a 125, but the 135 is a great compromise. More importantly, ask the sailmaker to consider the leech-length carefully. Mine is too long relative to placement of the Genny tracks. This makes it tough to really flatten the sail (see below). I wish the clew was a foot higher, for better leverage from the cockpit's coamings.
Fair winds!