my $0.02
The C27 is Head Sail driven.
You have a 1975 boat so most likely have cockpit traveler.
(With luck it is a real traveler which you can use for main sail trim.) You
should find that you can play the traveler in the gusts and trim the headsail
for maximum power.
Deciding to reef vs. changing the headsail depends on
weather ,past experience and crew.
On the Chesapeake which tends to have a windy late
afternoon which will then fall off very quickly at dusk I would put in a main
sail reef (or even 2) rather than take down the Genoa. Since I know full well
that as I get up the river a little later in the day the wind will drop and I
will want the Genoa again.
Maintaining comfort for passengers and speed you will find you are best to shorten sail to keep the boat heeled at 15 deg or maybe up to 20 deg
Beyond that the boat wants to round up and a lot of speed is lost to the rudder.
In the fall I like to sail with standard jib vs. Genoa
as the wind is stronger so if it looks like a day for a reef (better than 15
knots all the time) then I leave the dock with the standard jib ready. If it's
summer and the wind may be variable I have the Genoa and deal with perhaps being
overpowered. If it is blowing really hard and I'm out there then a double reefed
main sailing off the wind is pretty comfortable. Anything upwind in heavy
weather is a motor sailing experience for this sailor. Without a head sail you
can't go to windward at all.
Overall the C27 is very forgiving and able to take
being overpowered without too many
issues.
Mark
Tamblyn
From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michele/C27 Rossinante
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 2:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: catalina27-talk: Sail configuration questions
Hello, I'm new on this list.
I am interested in improving my understanding of sail trim for my 1975
Catalina 27 standard rig.
Can someone or several someones give me some input on these
questions:
Which sail is the "powerhouse" for driving the boat? I've been told the jib
is the powerhouse and the main is just trim. I've been told the main is the
powerhouse and the jib is for speed. Please help me know what is
accurate for MY boat.
Next, I would like to know, for my specific boat, what are the stages of
reefing that are best?
Under full main (fully battened main) and 150 genoa, do I reef the main
first or change to the working jib first?
Under working jib and full main, do I reef the main first or change to the
storm jib first?
Under working jib and one reef in the main, do I take a second reef or
change to storm jib?
Under reefed main (one reef) and storm jib, do I next go to two reefs in
the main?
Under two reefs and storm jib, which do I take down first if still
overpowered?
I have been told not to even rig my second reef because in this boat that
doesn't leave enough sail up to even be worth it. But I am guessing some of you
do use the second reef?
Looking forward to lots of input from fellow 70's catalina 27 owners!
Thanks!
Michele
Catalina 27 Rossinante
New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.
