[C320-list] One Sail in High winds

[Barry Parker]

HI Ken,

Like you and Dennis, I have been using different main and jib configurations in the high winds of the Bay.  (For cruising, not racing).  I have owned Fogdog for three years and I found a 120% Genoa too much sail for the high wind months on the Bay.    I switched to a Doyle 90%  blade and just love it!   It's as close to a self-tacking jib as I think we can get with the stock set-up.  I single hand a lot and I don't have an autopilot, so I have to be extra cautious when the winds pick up above 15 knots.  I find on downwind legs (broad reach to running) in over 20 knots, my 90% blade jib is plenty of engine for a comfortable cruise and provides good steerage with a big following sea.  I have used the main alone up to 30 knots (double reef) and even with the traveller hard over to control heel, steerage becomes difficult in 4-5 foot following seas.   On a beam reach or close haul, I like the main up (one reef in t5-20 knots of wind and two reefs in over 20 knots) and I will take in the jib or let out 1/4, 1/3 to 1/2 depending on how close-up I'm pointing.  With only 3 years of Bay sailing I am still learning, so I welcome to hear what others have to say.

Barry Parker
Fogdog #224
Brisbane Marina

On Jul 31, 2012, at 7:51 PM, Cary Dennis Lowe wrote:

> Hi Ken
> 
> I have done the same thing. Especially if you are just out for a day sail.  Racing is another thing.
> 
> Dennis
> Grace Kellie
> #971
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Jul 31, 2012, at 3:39 PM, Ken Danko <320kend at att.net> wrote:
> 
>> Lately I have been experimenting with using only one sail in high winds. I have tried using my 100% jib (and no main) and my main with the first reef point (and no jib). The usual afternoon winds here during the summer are about 24 knots with gusts to 29 in some parts of the bay. On a really windy day the wind can be almost 10 knots higher. I am not racing and my guests (crew) usually don't want to sit on the rail and sometimes I single hand Grace. Using one sail has proved to be a pretty good solution for traversing the most windy parts of the bay. I was wondering if anyone in the group had some thoughts/suggestions/guidelines for using one sail.
>> 
>> Ken Danko
>> Grace, #802
>> San Francisco
>>