Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

A forum for discussing issues relating to trailers and towing MacGregor sailboats.
Post Reply
bellevuesailor
Just Enlisted
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 11:23 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M

Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by bellevuesailor »

Hi, I recently purchased a 26M and plan on trailering the boat quite often. My genoa already has UV covers. To protect them during trailering, should I get a genoa cover?
User avatar
Chinook
Admiral
Posts: 1730
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:20 pm
Location: LeavenworthWA 2002 26x, Suzuki DF60A

Re: Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by Chinook »

I would strongly recommend using a sock style sail cover for your furled genoa, when trailering. The force of the wind on that sail, when going down the highway is significant, and can easily cause damage to an unprotected sail. Just consider driving at 60 miles per hour, into a 15 or 20 mph wind. You're quickly dealing with hurricane force wind speeds that can work to lift the edge of your sail. It wouldn't take much luffing to shred a sail.
User avatar
kurz
Admiral
Posts: 1304
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:07 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Zürich, Switzerland, Europe

Re: Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by kurz »

yes your are right. But the Genoa is closed... :D
I trailered 1000 of miles, never had a genoa sock. No problems so far.
Just secured with some lines to the mast.
User avatar
sailboatmike
Admiral
Posts: 1597
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:17 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Australia

Re: Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by sailboatmike »

Sock is good and cheap to make if you can sew a bit, not even that expensive if you cant sew
Baha
First Officer
Posts: 237
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:58 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: UK

Re: Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by Baha »

I would also recommend using a cover. It is very cheap insurance and, if your genoa was to unfurl, you probably would not see it until it was way too late...
Estate Sail
Deckhand
Posts: 49
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:43 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M

Re: Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by Estate Sail »

I cover mine when trailering and when the mast is down. Blue Water Yachts sell a very nice cover.
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by Tomfoolery »

I just roll mine up on the furler as usual, with several extra turns of the sheets, also as usual, and strap it to the mast with a jillion of those little red ball-end bungies from Walmart. Strapped tight to the mast, it's not going anywhere.
bellevuesailor
Just Enlisted
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 11:23 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M

Re: Genoa cover necessary for trailering?

Post by bellevuesailor »

Thanks everyone. Considering the cost of the sail and the cover, I decided to be on the safe side and get the cover.
Post Reply