Question about using Genoa with Snapfurl on CP-16

[TimW]

Hi All -
         I'm a relatively new owner of a 1989 CP-16 (and fairly new to sailing) so I apologize in
in advance for any incorrect terminology.  I did'nt get very complete info. from the previous owner (and found out it had'nt been registered for the past 4 years when I went to do so but all-in-all am pretty happy with it.  Anyway when I took it out on the bay from Redwood City (CA) last week I realized that although I had a bag labeled 155% Genoa, in fact what was in it must be the standard jib sail and the sail installed into the Snapfurl unit I tried to use must be the Genoa (it's Blue and white if that's any indication?). Anyway while out there the wind really picked up and I ended up having lots of problems with the Snapfurl system - first with the jib/genoa halyard line getting tangelled near the top when trying to extend it completely.
In this connection though I'm now wondering why one even needs a jib/genoa halyard with
a snapfurl assembly - it seems like the (very short) line holding the sail all the way up should'nt require adjustment - and it's not like I could "lower" the sail in the furler -only roll it up - or
am I missing something?   Anyway, I'm also wondering after such difficulties - particularly with full extension in high winds - whether a Genoa on a snapfurl can be used effectlive if only
unwound part way making it closer to a standard jib sail?   Would the way to do this (so as not to let a big wind extend it further against my will) be to tie the furler line to something to prevent complete uncoiling?  I guess more general questions relate to the general advantages/disadvantages of genoas vs. jibs on the CP-16?  Anything I need to be particularly careful about?  I guess I'd be inclined to keep the Genoa installed (since switching back and forth looks non trivial and I'm assuming the Snapfurl would'nt even work with the standard jib sail I have in the bag.   When struggling with the above problem I had the main sail down and
was still being pushed around fast with poor control. Are there reasons why using a
genoa/jib sail only (with main sail down) is a bad idea/particularly hazardous?
        Any advice/recommendations would be much appreciated.  Also wondering if there are any other CP-16 owners around these parts and recommendations on where else to go sailing.
                   thanks in advance....    Tim W.

[JBC]

Tim,

Well, first of all you made it back to land (that 16 is pretty forgiving in rough conditions).  I do not have specific experience with the SnapFurl system (CF 500 I suppose?).  But I'm on my second ComPac 16, and the first one had a CD1 furling system.

With a furler, you use a furling line to roll in the genoa, and your genoa sheets to pull the sail all the way out and for control.  Yes, you can cleat off the furler line mid-way or thereabouts and still get some use of a smaller area headsail.  And yes, you can sail the boat on genoa alone in a limited fashion, but when the wind picks up, that's not a good idea in my opinion, as you lose lots of control over the boat that way.  It sounds like you dropped the main when struggling with the genoa, so that's understandable.  I now have hank on head sails (standard jib and 155 genoa), and I choose their use before heading out according to conditions.  I also rig a headsail downhaul, just in case I need to drop it, but you're right...you don't really have that option with a furling sail; you can only roll it up partly or all the way when the wind really picks up.  The ComPac 16 sails pretty well on main alone, except when heading upwind.

I happen to have another boat (24') slipped in Redwood City that I sail some when out in CA (I live in CO), and mostly I sail south of the San Mateo Bridge, in that portion of the Bay.  From my perspective in land-locked CO, that's lots of open water for daysailing.  But I talk to many people in Redwood City who take their boats up toward SF or across to Oakland, etc., for overnighting.  In CO I trailer sail my ComPac 16 to mountain lakes.

[KPL]

Tim -
I'll try to respond to your post...bear with me.

You can sail with the Genoa partially furled (Reefed).  I have a CD1, and a 150% genoa.  You definitely need to secure the furling line to keep the sail partially furled.  I use a spinlock powercleat, but the previous owner just used the horn cleat on the coach top.  I usually pull on the sheet with one hand and pay out the furling line with the other until I get the desired amount of sail, then cleat off the furling line.  When it's really blowing, I just have a little handkerchief of sail to keep headway, and all the way out when the wind is light.  It's kind of like a shifting gears, but with infinite gears between full and closed.

As far as sailing with just the genoa, it can be done, but I find that unless it's all the way out, I get to much lee helm (tendency for the boat to point downwind) and can't really get anywhere.  I had one incident where the stress was so much it pulled out my genoa track like a big zipper!  Exciting, but not a huge repair.  I usually just sail with the genoa when the winds are moderate and i'm on a short sail and too lazy to unfurl the main.

If it's really windy, I'd recommend reefing the main, and sail with main alone.  It's much more in control that way.

I would suggest you go out on a mild to moderate day and play with different amounts of headsail and mainsail reefing and check out the different combinations that give you balance and control.  You may even want to make marks on your furling line.  For example, put one reef in the main, and see how much sail you need to balance on a slight reach.  Mark that position on your furling line.  Then put two reefs in the main and repeat.  They'd be good starting points, so you can minimize thinking when it gets rough...that's always a good thing for me.

Kevin

[TimW]

Thanks JBC and Kevin - this really helps - particularly knowing that what I was thinking
makes sense.  So next time I go out I'll try using the Genoa in more of an adjustable mode
together with the mainsail and see how it goes. 
thanks again...Tim W