


#Code zero vs genoa how to
You can learn more about storing your other sails and how to prevent UV damage in our prior posts.

Often changing out your active sail inventory will only need to be done a few times a year, when the conditions demand it. You can keep your genoa in reserve and use the smaller sail with the increasing breeze. If you already have a larger genoa you may want to consider a smaller headsail with a luff perpendicular of around 115% or less. Most sailors dislike changing sails, but smart sailors know that it is foolish to go out with only one working headsail. Sail Inventory And The Benefit of Multiple Sails A sail made for a Catalina 27 in Seattle will be completely different than a sail made for a Catalina 27 sailing through the Bahamas. It is important to note that while most owners of the same boat might recommend the same sail, the geographic location and experience level of the captain will be the most important factor in which sail to purchase. From the massive amount of information available you should be able to see what owners of the same boat have gone with. Furthermore, furling away sail shape from a larger genoa for heavy air usage causes uneven stretching in the Dacron over time as well as reducing the efficiency of the sail shape.Ī great way to determine which size headsail you need is to get involved with a local club, search on a forum, or have a conversation with a sail consultant. Therefore, a jib that overlaps around 115% becomes quite efficient, resulting in less reliance on the additional overlap. With lighter craft, including lighter masts and rigging, the mast height can be taller without affecting the righting moment. Older boats were significantly heavier with longer keels, so it was necessary to fly as much sail as possible to power up. Isn’t It Better To Have More Sail Area And Furl Away Whats Not Needed? However, it is important to note that various cloth weights may be used on jibs and genoas as the sail design based on the boat and sailing conditions will determine what weight will be needed.

Cross Cut and Tri-Radial designs are available for all sizes. Secondly, the lower weight means less heeling and pitching. First, you will be able to handle them easier both to change and to trim. Another benefit is that the weight is significantly lighter. Non-overlapping sails may also have a longer lifespan since their leeches won’t be dragged across your shrouds, spreaders, and mast. Smaller jibs are much easier to handle and are especially popular if you are short on crew, besides being less expensive. In an effort to standardize which size sail belongs in which category, we have broken down each as follows: Very likely you will hear the terms used interchangeably. Technically a foresail that does not overlap the mast is considered a jib, but an overlapping sail is a Genoa. These are used in lighter air when the most sail area is needed to increase performance. Occasionally, some genoas are so large that if you look at the boat from the side the majority of the mainsail is covered. It will typically overlap a mainsail to some extent. Typically a jib will be no greater than 115% of the fore-triangle dimensions.Ī genoa is similar to a jib but is larger and reaches past the mast. The smaller area of a jib allows it to be able to perform more efficiently in greater wind speed without the need to furl away sail shape. Jibs are typically 100% to 115% LP and are generally used in areas with heavier winds. Typically they run from the head of the foremast to the bowsprit. Jibs and genoa’s are used in tandem with a mainsail to stabilize the vessel and are usually measured by their Luff Perpendicular percentage, that is, how much area within the fore-triangle they use. Jibs and Genoas are triangular sails which are affixed to a stay in front of the mast.
