Jib or Genoa?

[Interim]

I have a Mac26s, and I'm starting to think about new sails. Right now my foresail is a hanked-on jib. I am looking for input on whether to replace it with a genoa, or just get a new jib.

We sail inland, never more than 4 miles from our marina. Winds range from 1 to 20, but usually 10-15 when we are on the water.

As a certified cheapskate, I have been rejecting the notion of a roller-furler. But now I'm thinking that if I am buying a new sail, this might be the time.

I look forward to your thoughts and experiences.

--john

[NiceAft]

For those times when your wind speeds are really low, a genny is great. When furled for higher wind conditions, a genny is fine, but not as good as a jib.

My opinion is, for the normal wind conditions you describe, a jib is what you need. Then again, if your not racing, or pushing your boat for maximum efficiency, a roller furling genoa is the way to go for a leisurely day of sailing. You are then set up to enjoy the day no matter the lack of good, solid wind conditions.

Ray

[Sumner]

If you decide on the roller-fuller then I'd go with the Genoa for sure. I don't think you would ever regret either. If you don't and you sail mostly in those wind speeds I'd probably stay with a jib or one just slightly larger.


http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ng-23.html

We bought our new sails from Martin at Somerset Sails....

http://www.somersetsails.com/

.... Got the Genoa with a radial cut and the main with full battens and loose footed. He also put the protective sunbrella on the Genoa and his prices were as good or better than any I found for equivilant sails. He is in New York by the Erie Canal so you are getting home built sails. Great to talk to on the phone. At least call him for a quote. I'm not related to the business just a happy customer. Say hi to him from me,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Baha]

I sail in gusty conditions quite often. I switched from a genoa to a jib and really believe it balances the boat nicely. For a lazy person like myself it's perfect. I was out today with a reefed main and the Jib with just a turn or two rolled in (w/luff pads). Threes gusting to five and no worries. Of course, I really don't care how fast I'm going.

[sailboatmike]

These boats are pretty balanced the jib is just about the same size as the main.

Unless you are going for the furler the jib would be better, many here use the genoa on the furler.

Personally i use the jib on the furler, given the size of the jib its the same area as the genoa on many boats around the same size

[paul I]

I wouldn't want to do without my furler. I have a genoa on the furler and a new standard jib in the original bag it came in. The PO never used it and neither have I. I also have the standard mac spinnaker. I use it rarely, mostly because I'm lazy.

That being said, I have read many times on this board that most prefer the standard jib. In my case, I'm often out in light winds and I unfurl the entire genny. In light to medium wind I unfurl the genny and never bother with the main. It's all your preference.

If you get a furler, be sure to get a sewn on sunshade regardless of whichever sail you decide on.

[Tomfoolery]

I wouldn't want to do without my furler. I have a genoa on the furler and a new standard jib in the original bag it came in. The PO never used it and neither have I. I also have the standard mac spinnaker. I use it rarely, mostly because I'm lazy.

That being said, I have read many times on this board that most prefer the standard jib. In my case, I'm often out in light winds and I unfurl the entire genny. In light to medium wind I unfurl the genny and never bother with the main. It's all your preference.

If you get a furler, be sure to get a sewn on sunshade regardless of whichever sail you decide on.

Those comments mirror my experience, right down to the working jib being essentially new. I use the jib mainly, but lately I've been using the genoa alone, for convenience when sailing with 'crew' who've never been on a boat before, and having to work the main sheet along with the jib requires too much mobility in a crowded cockpit (I usually sail alone, which is waaay easier).

The genoa alone actually sails quite well. Almost as well as the main and jib combo. And it's super convenient on a furler. I've been working with it as a solo sail based on comments from others here, and it may be my new favorite sail plan for quick and easy sailing with the added benefit of zero prep. For a long sail, I'll use the jib/main or genoa/main though, especially if pointing tight to the wind is important. Having a blown-out main ain't helping, though.

I don't know how that translates to an S, but that's what I've been up to at least on my X.

[hschumac]

My boat came with a genoa. When it was worn out, I replaced with a jib. Two reasons:
- tighter sheeting angle for sailing upwind. My region usually has northerly or southerly winds, whi h is same as typical journey route. Thus tighter sailing angle increases my VMG
- easy tacking; no need to partially roll the genoa in a tack or dragging it across the rigging / mast

Still happy with the performance.

[NiceAft]

hshumac posted: “easy tacking; no need to partially roll the genoa in a tack or dragging it across the rigging / mast”.

There have been several discussions in this forum about tacking with a Genoa. My reading of the consensus is to enter the tack, let the Genoa fill, at that point release the windward Genoa sheet and pull on the leeward. This omits dragging the sail across the deck. It goes easier if you wait for the sail to fill before pulling on the eventual leeward sheet. There is no need to furl the genny for tacking.

This info may be late for you, but there may some out there who are having the problem.

Ray

[Interim]

So if I get a genoa on a furler, and we get overpowered, just roll it in a bit? I realize this would not have the performance of a jib, but in that wind I'd guess we're doing ok. In lighter winds (less than 10), we'd have the right amount of sail and outperform a main/jib?

--john

[Tomfoolery]

So if I get a genoa on a furler, and we get overpowered, just roll it in a bit? I realize this would not have the performance of a jib, but in that wind I'd guess we're doing ok. In lighter winds (less than 10), we'd have the right amount of sail and outperform a main/jib?

--john

It can help to move the sheets to the cabin roof (jib) blocks, too. Brings the sheet angle down and in. Move the windward sheet, then tack and move the other. If you're ok with climbing around on the cabin roof in whatever conditions you're sailing in, of course - or move them before you set sail. Same with reefing the main, which can be done before even raising it, and even at the dock.

[Russ]

This.
A decent RF genny will be able to be refeefed.

If you feel you will be in short winds, why not allow a big sail?

I have both and frequently find myself "reefing" the genny. No big deal. The standard jib has been in the bag for the past few years.

Those comments mirror my experience, right down to the working jiub being essentially new. I use the jib mainly, but lately I've been using the genoa alone, for convenience when sailing with 'crew' who've never been on a boat before, and having to work the main sheet along with the jib requires too much mobility in a crowded cockpit (I usually sail alone, which is waaay easier).

The genoa alone actually sails quite well. Almost as well as the main and jib combo. And it's super convenient on a furler. I've been working with it as a solo sail based on comments from others here, and it may be my new favorite sail plan for quick and easy sailing with the added benefit of zero prep. For a long sail, I'll use the jib/main or genoa/main though, especially if pointing tight to the wind is important. Having a blown-out main ain't helping, though.

I don't know how that translates to an S, but that's what I've been up to at least on my X.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

Then again, if your not racing, or pushing your boat for maximum efficiency, a roller furling genoa is the way to go for a leisurely day of sailing. You are then set up to enjoy the day no matter the lack of good, solid wind conditions.

Ray

[Highlander]

decisions, decisions, How many head sails do I put out today Mmmm ,

J

[NiceAft]

John,

There are some here who always thought you were a head case

Ray