pointing with genoa

[DaveE]

My overall quest is to find a way of pointing better with a genny in lite winds.  (status quo is drifting sideways, but better using jib or main alone)
Toward that end I have made a number of modifications over the winter, the latest of which is the purchase of a genny tracks and bulls eyes from Hutchins. The question concerns position. (how far fore or aft along the gunwale) I'm sure Hutchins will have a recommendation, but what does your experience say?

[John J]

Put your track toward the back of the combing just forward of the aft cleat.

[Greene]

I installed the tracks and hardware from Hutchins last spring.  It does not come with any instructions.  If you want to see where I placed mine just look at the pic's in my photobucket link below.

Mike

[kickingbug1]

    mike, is that the 135 pictured on your boat. i have one of those that i put on a furler for use in light air next spring. i hope it works better upwind with my new main. i put my tracks about midway back. have to say i sure like those tanbark sails----rolly tasker arnt they?

[Craig Weis]

I don't think 'pointing' with a sail 'stuck-out-front' is going to improve the windward performance much in light wind. It's more a function of hull speed and the water rushing past the keel that's going to make the hull go straight instead of sideways in a light breeze. So if she has no go, she has no steerage and is basically adrift no matter how much canvas is up.

skip.

[Greene]

   mike, is that the 135 pictured on your boat. i have one of those that i put on a furler for use in light air next spring. i hope it works better upwind with my new main. i put my tracks about midway back. have to say i sure like those tanbark sails----rolly tasker arnt they?

The red and white genoa is a 155 I bought from Kevin (KPL) on this site.  The reddish-brown sails are the originals on the 16.  I believe they were made by North Sails - I'll check when I get home.  They have been referred to as "tanbark", but that sounds like a Crayola color.  The 155 worked OK when I first used it in light air, but it didn't help much until I added the track and hardware to get the sheets farther back.  Now we can grab a lot more speed in lighter winds. The reddish sails really look good and are in decent condition, but they are completely stretched out.  When we are out in stiffer winds we find it hard to get them flattened out at all.  The Admiral is not a fan of heeling, so flattening and dumping wind are high priorities if I want to stay on the water.

I should buy new sails, but we are already starting to look for a 19.


Mike

[Salty19]

I should buy new sails, but we are already starting to look for a 19.

Mike

Good luck in your search!!!

[Potcake boy]

Just a reminder - on our modest but sturdy craft it is important to keep in mind the hull and rig design.  Trying to pinch up in one of our Com-Pacs is not a fruitful way to sail in light air.  You must bear off a bit and get some power in the sails, or lose any gains to excessive leeway.  So bear off, ease the sheet a bit and look to improve your speed.  This will get you upwind quicker than trying to sail as close as possible to the wind.

P.S.  Greene - if you are considering 19, I may be parting with mine by this summer.  If you're interested let me know and I'll provide more information.

Ron

[Greene]

   mike, is that the 135 pictured on your boat. i have one of those that i put on a furler for use in light air next spring. i hope it works better upwind with my new main. i put my tracks about midway back. have to say i sure like those tanbark sails----rolly tasker arnt they?

Later that day.....Captain Short Memory checked his sails and found they were made by Johnson Sails.


Potcake Boy:  Why are you considering the sale of your 19? 

[Potcake boy]

Greene - I am eager to get back into a multihull.  I have a Corsair 27 in mind to do a bit of cruisin' in the Bahamas.  It would be a bit more accommodating for a longer cruise than my 19.  Too bad Hutchins doesn't build a multihull, I'd be interested in taking a look though it would be a difficult market to break into as some of the established players like Corsair build really nice boats.

But don't be concerned that I'm disappointed in any way with the 19.  I knew exactly what to expect before even making the purchase, and the only surprise was that it is a little faster than I expected.  You will be especially pleased with one as a step up from the 16.  It's an excellent pocket cruiser and still a true trailer sailor.  My very first boat was a 16 that I bought in 1980 - thought I was a world class captain of the Seven Seas till someone pointed out that I had my clamp on bow light on backward.

Can't say I remember the first girl I ever kissed but I remember vividly the first night sail on that 16 - it was pure magic.

Ron

[Greene]

Potcake Boy,

How about you trailer her up to Carlyle Lake about July so we can all go sailing on her?  Aww come on, it isn't that far.

Mike

[Potcake boy]

Mike,

I would love to say yes to your invitation, but I'm not so sure I'd be able to "put my money where my mouth is".  A European vacation would probably cost less than the gas my Wrangler would consume on that trip.  Infact I could probably get a hell of a boat store buying spree for that.  Any chance you could move the lake a little closer or wouldn't you be allowed to take it out of the state?

Hey anyone up north interested in a ice boat conversion kit for your Com-Pac?  Where's global warming when you need it?

Ron

[DaveE]

DO I HEAR AN INTEREST IN ICE SAILING?  MY CP16 IS AT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE AND MY DN IS AT THE FRONT READY TO GO.  COME ON UP AND TRY SAILING HARD WATER.
DaveE