Genoa only sailing

[Herschel]

leefrankpierce said:

Pict of my mast showing slug spacing (reefed) Guessing they are too close as I found a 2ft recommendation somewhere. Still unsure of the size but I think 1/2 is the smallest you can buy.
Opinions on spacing ?

I'm going to the marina tomorrow. I'll measure my slugs and the spacing and report back tomorrow.

[Herschel]

OK, my mainsail slugs are one inch long. The slugs are 28 inches apart. I do have a slug at the clew that slips into the boom track that is almost two inches.

[leefrankpierce]

thanks, I think I have 2x the number of slugs my mainsail should have.

[WinSome]

Here’s my main sail slug arrangement. It permits us to NOT use a sail stop (I donated a couple to the harbour. ) we have a pin thru the mast sail slug stop. Can barely see the thru pin on the mast , below the arch. Second pic shows the sail pack.




Important thing is we can reef/motor without messing with slugs or sail stop. And still have a clean sail pack.

So! On the sail we have slugs at 24” intervals. But! The bottom 8’of the main has double clevis with 4” spacing. The slugs are arranged on 8’ of 3/16” line. This permits the slugs to stop above the pin, but the sail drops to the boom. Makes for fast clean reef and sail drop. Maybe makes the main a bit less taut at the very bottom above the mast



The fourth pic has tried to setup the four ‘lined’ slugs showing two of the regular slugs at the top.





It does take an extra minute to properly arrange the slugs on the mast the first couple of times. I can get better pics , explanation in three weeks when we launch.

[leefrankpierce]

I put all my slugs mounted directly to the sail.
Not sure how the rope through the strapps, then through the slug works.
I can see how that would give much more freedom to the slugs and keep them from binding.
Possibly if I saw the rope method while under sail it would make more sense to me.

[WinSome]

This pic is the best I can offer until I get the mast up. Mostly shows the double clevis going up the main 8’. Rope terminates in the grommet above the upper clevis. The main was obviously made this way.


We use dry lube to keep the slugs moving


More pics to follow - but I ‘ll re-title the discussion appropriately.

[leefrankpierce]

One thing I notice, the rope part is not your entire sail, but possibly part of the reefing system?

Looks like a way to tension the upper part of the sail also.
One thing is sure, I have way too many slugs.

I am considering a new set of sails, so is there a way to request that kind of setup?
What is it called ?

[WinSome]

It’s called a jackline. ( I had to remind myself what it’s called ) it works wonders when tensioned correctly

[Herschel]

Update: went sailing today with Genoa-only in fairly strong winds 13-14 gusting to 20. 15 pretty regularly. Max speed on a broad reach with a well reefed Genoa was 5.5 mph. Hit 20-25 degree heel several times even with a slight reef. 3-man crew for "extra ballast"! It was all the sail I wanted today. It was a bit of a "field test" for a new sailing friend who is an experienced national racer in the handicapped sailing circuit, not a "sailing" handicap, a personal one. He is a paraplegic. The marina loaned me a three-step boarding ladder to help him handle the high freeboard of our boats. It was a good day! My grown nephew handled the foredeck getting under way and coming back in. He was particularly dexterous in recovering my Navy ballcap that went overboard. Sort of an impromptu MOB drill!

[NiceAft]

You had a good day.

[Be Free]

We had whitecaps on the river yesterday. I don't want to imagine what the Gulf looked like. I'm glad the weather was more reasonable for you. I've seen Lake Monroe get pretty messy when the wind picks up!

[leefrankpierce]

It’s called a jackline. ( I had to remind myself what it’s called ) it works wonders when tensioned correctly

Thank you very much.
All giving me a lot to think about, possibly I can get along with my main if I re-rig so I can get it up, reef/de-reef from the cockpit.

Upon listening to the different wind conditions that affect peoples experiences:
My area often has 10mph with gusts of 20+ so I think I experience highly varied winds compared to some.
Add how the fingers of the lake alternately block then channel the wind, I suspect I need smaller but balanced sails rather than 1 giant one.
That pushes me to consider a main with 2 reef points and a standard or less that 100% jib.
Our boats are light enough that they really do not need that much power to move in light winds and more power/sail seems to just over power the boat in "high" winds.

My location in "windy"
https://www.windy.com/32.988/-97.476?32.461,-97.476,8

[Be Free]

Hershel,
I've found that a second reef point is very handy on our boats. It opens up a lot more sailing days for me. I think you would miss that big genoa when the wind is behind you though.

[Herschel]

Hershel,
I've found that a second reef point is very handy on our boats. It opens up a lot more sailing days for me. I think you would miss that big genoa when the wind is behind you though.

I agree with you. I originally asked Doyle Sails to do two sets of reef points on my new main a few years ago, but their rep talked me out of it. I suppose I could get a set added. I'll have to ponder that.

[Be Free]

The majority of my sailing these days is offshore, often hours from sheltered waters even under power. When most of my sailing was inland and protected I'd use the second reef a couple of times a year. Now it's not unusual for me to use it at least once on a multi-day trip. If I'm making an offshore sail overnight it's always reefed and usually on the second point.

If I were in your place I don't think I'd make a special trip to the sailmaker to have one added, but I might do it if they were working on the sail for something else.

When you are using your first reef, how often do you find yourself thinking, "That's still a little too much sail"?