New Headsail: To bypass furler or use it?

[Rhumb_Runner]

Hello, 

We're speccing a new 155% headsail for our Pearson P26. Dimension polyant tri radial laminate material. 

It's equipped with a twin roller furling system. 

The question is: is it worth the extra hassle to bypass the furler and tack to the deck, or should we utilize the furler and sacrifice the extra sail area and speed? 

Thank you!

Justin

- SV Rhumb Runner P26 #1635

 

[Bull City]

Are we talking about a Pearson 26 like this? If so, I would go with the furler and make it a 160%.

 

[Sail4beer]

If you’re not going offshore or racing PHRF, I’d just stick with the roller furler and enjoy the boat. You won’t need to tack the tack down to gain a few extra feet of airflow across the sails. Go have some fun!

 

[thinwater]

And without a bow watch, how do you see under a deck sweeper?

 

[Ishmael]

And without a bow watch, how do you see under a deck sweeper?

GoPro on the bow rail sending to your phone.

 

[European Bloke]

As soon as you bypass the furler you need a set of headsails, like the boat would have had when it was new. No1, No2, No3 possibly No4. Then you have to put them all somewhere...

 

[Ajax]

I think he'll take a penalty if he makes the genoa larger than a 155%.  It may be worth it, I'm just saying it's something to be aware of.

We have a Tartan 27 that flies an oversized genoa. They outsail the penalty and beat up on everyone in their class.

 

[Rhumb_Runner]

Hey y'all, 

Thank you for the responses. I will take a penalty over 155% since I am racing PHRF. I haven't considered a bow watch yet but will think about the bluetooth camera as a solution. If you can see under the sail, that's lost sail area in my mind. 

Yes @Bull City we have a P26 just like that! Sail #1635. 

 

[Bull City]

Thank you for the responses. I will take a penalty over 155% since I am racing PHRF. I haven't considered a bow watch yet but will think about the bluetooth camera as a solution. If you can see under the sail, that's lost sail area in my mind.  

To echo what @Ajax said, in the 1970s I raced & sailed on a friend's Tartan 27 on Biscayne Bay. He too had a 170. He would reef the main before he would take it down.

Regarding lost sail area, if it's down low, I wonder how effective it is in terms of horsepower per square foot. I suspect it's low.

Can you fly an asymmetric?

 

[TwoLegged]

Regarding lost sail area, if it's down low, I wonder how effective it is in terms of horsepower per square foot. I suspect it's low.

AIUI, the issue with raising the foot of the genoa is not the lost sail area.  It's the lost endplate effect.

 

[Rhumb_Runner]

AIUI, the issue with raising the foot of the genoa is not the lost sail area.  It's the lost endplate effect.

I agree, the endplate effect would probably be a bigger lever in terms of lift than the increased sail area. 

 

[Bull City]

AIUI, the issue with raising the foot of the genoa is not the lost sail area.  It's the lost endplate effect.

Well, blow me down! I just Googled that.