Forums, Mast, Rigging and Sails, A sail for short tacking

Lee at 15/01/2011 18:00:16

Hello,

I am in the market for new racing sails. I race under IRC and often struggle when short tacking. I am thinking of getting a blade jib, something small, but light, in order to give myself a better chance. Is there an accepted wisdom re the size of sail to use?

Also does anyone have recommendations re materials and sailmakers?

moongirl at 15/01/2011 18:29:30
Jeremy raced Gigi in IRC with a roller ‘high tech’ foresail – the roller only used to furl the sail downwind. Jeremy’s sail was about equivalent to a 2 ie not that small but easier when tacking. We started in the RTI a couple of years ago at the same time and were very much quicker with a 1.
The Dutch & Belgian boats have adopted a blade but they have had to add new tracks as the originals do not extend far enough forward and are also too far from the centreline.
Have a look at the Netherlands Site and see if you can contact them (Lucas is a good contact) otherwise return this Post and I will add Lucas e-mail – I have his address on my work computer.

moongirl at 16/01/2011 11:38:41
Since my Post yesterday I had time to think about contacts in Netherlands and of course i got things wrong! The boat I was thinking of was Lecas owned by Christophe Declercq. Christophe’s details inc e-mail are in the on-line Members Handbook.

christophe at 18/01/2011 20:40:12
We used to sail with a high aspect blade, but now we use it only for delivery trips and family cruising.
This is because we have been preparing Lecas for some class racing in the Solent in 2011.
There is no significant difference in upwind performance, maybe you can sail a little bit higher.
And also for short tacking there is no real difference.
If you need any more info please sent me an email, christophe@elementsbvba.be
Hope to see all in Itchenor?

christophe at 18/01/2011 20:41:53
No difference , meaning with our new nr3.

moongirl at 18/01/2011 20:47:50
Hi Christophe
Looks like the IRC option is to go with the Gigi style Pentex which is similar to a No 2.
Look forward to seeing you in UK waters again.
Seb (Polar Star) and I are now racing Muscadet de Havelet together with John our foredeck from Firefly – thats assuming we get our rudder sorted out because we have several degrees of movement between the shaft and blade!

christophe at 18/01/2011 20:59:32
What is the actual IRC handicap for a CO32?
@Colin, good luck with the rudder and probably see you at the AGM in London?