Furler or Hank

[sirlandsalot]

Good Evening,

I am wondering what exactly the difference is between a hank on and a furler Jib, other than the fact that one furls and the other is a hank on, what are the technical differences in the sail itself.

Thanks

[kadet]

Furled sails generally have a luff designed to be mounted on a foil and either a luff pad or cut designed to hold a better shape when partially furled (reefed). They also normally include a UV stripe to protect the sail when furled from the sun. Hanked sails generally point a bit higher and perform a bit better as there is no foil in front of them disturbing the air flow. A slight reduction in performance is considered worth it for the convenience of a furled sail for those that go that route and the reduced cost in having to have a number of different sized headsails.

A pure furling jib (non reefing) is generally a regular jib with a wire luff rope to furl around and act in lieu of the forestay, these are not much different to a regular hanked jib and are and either an all furled or an all out option and are just a convenient and quick way of stowing and setting the sail.

[Catigale]

Once you pick one, you are pretty much stuck with that option of course. It's possible to add a the luff tape to a hanked-on sail but I haven't heard of anyone ever removing it. Maybe you could just add hanks and leave the tape on.

I'm actually taking the CDI off my boat and going back to a standard hanked on jib and two forestays.

[Wayne nicol]

so Catigale, how do you set that up, the double forestay system on a mac, distance from each other?, attachment points, mast hounds etc
is the second foresty merely security.

i am seriously considering a bowsprit, and a double setup,with furlers. not to be run as a cutter, as in highlanders boat, but to try and get the c of e a little forward, and to have both genoa and jib handy.
probably overkill, and sensebilitry tells me yes to the bowsprit, but only to use a single headsail setup that is hank on!!
but we live in a rainforest up here-literally, so really dont want wet sails down below.

[Catigale]

I did put a Mod up on this - will try to find link

[Russ]

I am wondering what exactly the difference is between a hank on and a furler Jib, other than the fact that one furls and the other is a hank on, what are the technical differences in the sail itself.

Technical aspects discussed.

For me, the difference is I don't have to go up on the foredeck in bouncing seas to raise and lower the jib. Can all be done from the safety of the cockpit. Once furled, it also is done. Sail cover is wrapped around it and I don't need to do anything else (unhank it, stuff it in a bag, store it).
For me, I will never own a hank on foresail again. For other purists who may want to race their J boats at maximum speed, there may be a case for a hank on sail. YMMV.

[mastreb]

I find it's easiest to control heel and therefore get the best speed out of a mac with a roller furler, because you can size it exactly to the winds you have, as you're sailing. Proper heel (as opposed to too much or too little) is worth about 1 knot on a Mac, and for that reason, I prefer a roller furler.

I also sail in light air, so a 150 Genoa is mandatory. With the roller furler, this can size down to whatever, but a jib when you need a Genoa just means a slow day.

You have a lot more flexibility with a RF 150 Genny, and the only thing you get from a jib is slightly better pointing, when you'd go faster a little off the wind anyway. Since I'm rarely actually trying to get to a specific place, the RF 150 fits my needs a lot better.

[bscott]

I have a Schaefer Snap Furl 700 mounted on my X which uses an external halyard system--same as a hank on--which allows me to trim the jib forestay tension from the cockpit, and change headsails same as a hank on.

It is very robust and can be furled with the winch if necessary. Pricey but worth it

You can sew luff pads into a jenny which will let you reduce sail by 50% without bagging your draft too much. Beyond that the furled sail will rise up the forestay and induce heeling and reduce drive.

Bob

[Russ]

You can sew luff pads into a jenny which will let you reduce sail by 50% without bagging your draft too much.

I ordered my RF 150 Genny from Judy B with luff pads. Works pretty good when "reefing" the sail.
Our winds are either extremely light (need a big sail) or too much (need to reef). Sure it may not point as well, but it's a Mac and doesn't point well anyway. I'm in no rush to get anywhere or I would have bought a J boat.

--Russ

[petebrayton]

I used to have a roller furler with jib and a light air genny on it at different times. I no longer use it because I found it easier to raise the mast without the furler/sail combo attached. I now use hank on storm jib, regular jib and the light air genny. I try to plan ahead so I don't have to change sails in deteriorating conditions. I can also use the same halyard for the spinnaker, which seldom gets used, and therefore don't need an extra halyard.

[Wayne nicol]

say Catigale,
what furlers did you use on your setup.
thanks

[DaveC426913]

Proper heel (as opposed to too much or too little) is worth about 1 knot on a Mac...

What is considered proper heel?

[RobertB]

Proper heel (as opposed to too much or too little) is worth about 1 knot on a Mac...

What is considered proper heel?

About 4-6 inches on an open toe stiletto

[Russ]

Proper heel (as opposed to too much or too little) is worth about 1 knot on a Mac...

What is considered proper heel?

About 4-6 inches on an open toe stiletto

Or a 4-6 Henway.

[mastreb]

Proper heel (as opposed to too much or too little) is worth about 1 knot on a Mac...

What is considered proper heel?

The boat has the least wetted surface between 15 and 20 degrees. More heel than that will slow you down.

Matt