Reply To: What size genoa?

Simon

That’s sounds the same as my Genoa, which judging by its condition it is probably the original. I’ll quote DavidH “A larger headsail, say a genoa, has to wrap around the shrouds or be cut with a big curve in the leach to clear under and inside the cap shrouds. As the latter seems a waste, most people use a genoa around the outside and accept the lack of heading that comes with it.” I tore mine couple of weeks ago and was most upset but not very surprised.
Have you considered a 100% jib and a screecher instead? It apparently gives much better performance. I’ve had some trouble with the windward performance so am taking DavidH’s and my local sail makers advice and going for a roller furling 100% Jib and adding tracks to the cabin roof. That way you can sheet right in a point better. For the wider angles above 45 you may want to consider a streaker/screacher/G-0/C-0 (got many names apparently) I’m told they are all basically the same thing i.e. an asymmetrical spinnaker but the one that’s cut closest to a geona. Some people just pick up larger standard genoas with a wire luff for this. According to northsails the wind range on their G-0 is apparently 40-115 degrees, although this is probably for a monohul. This sail will be big and for lighter air, once the air picks up to much the jib can take over from there. http://www.northsails.com/north_america/cruising_sails/G0QA.htm
The catch is tacking looks a little tricky as it’s done round the front of the sail unless of course you could install a decent length retractable bowsprit then you could tack it round the front of the forestay. I’m sure you have had enough practice doing this with getting your genoa around that annoying second forestay that the HT’s have. I probably won’t find it so annoying once it proves its worth and holds me through a storm. The sheets apparently can go all the way to the back and the sail is run outside the shrouds. Not sure yet but I think the geona track may be fine for this (according to my local sail maker it they will suffice). You could build one out of a larger standard used wire luff genoa and use a harken furler that’s designed for this.
There is a good article on the subject: http://www.time-for-a-catamaran-adventure.com/catamaran-screecher.html

The other catch is the price 2 or 3 sails instead of 1 (considering a reaching asymmetrical too, instead of a symmetrical). Just got a quote for custom sails and it’s not pretty. Taking the effort to measure everything out and search for second hand sails is what I’m going to have to do for now. I think it will be worth it in the end.

I would be interested in the sail measurements if you have them. In fact any of you measurements (I,J,Max luff,Mast height etc.) as I’m trying to put together a record of the HT27 measurements.