Moving the whole Jib system

[seapop]

In the final stage of buying my first sailboat, Catalina 320 2005. On sea trials it is apparent that the Jib/Genoa is so low that it blocks my vision from the helm. It also lays over the life lines up forward.

Two suggestions have been made to me:

1. move the whole furling system up toward the top of the main mast another foot or so.. appears to be some room up there..
Does this make sense? Is it difficult? Can I do it myself? $$Cost if not?

2. have a sail maker install a flexible window in the base of the sail in order to see through it.
?? good suggestion or not? $$Cost?

Any other suggestions? thanks

[sailormed]

Your broker is trying to make a sell!
1. Moving the whole genoa furler 1 foot up the mast is crazy. You will need to profoundly modify the mast fixtures.
2. It is a sailboat. On every sailboat the genoa is covering a big part of the horizon. You will have to learn to live with it and take periodic checks of another point on the boat to cover that area.

[Sailmonkey]

Have a new Genoa made for the boat with a high clew, and a tack pendant to raise it even further

[scotty c-m]

A thought ... Can you hoist the jib up higher on the existing furler system? It may be that the jib, if it can go higher, just needs to have a longer attachment at the foot (tack).

Even so, as Sailormed says, all sailboats have a "blind spot" because of the jib. Yes, that can also overlap the lifelines. Have someone with experience take a look at this (not the broker) and see if this boat is typical, or if there is a problem.

Where are you? It may be that someone on this forum might be in the neighborhood, and can help you out.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Have a new Genoa made for the boat with a high clew, and a tack pendant to raise it even further

THAT is THE answer.


Here is a photo of my Profurl LCI32 drum. It has LONG link plates to raise the drum off the deck and the jib doesn't hang up on the pulpit. The upper swivel is just where the Profurl manufacturer says it should be; it was NOT moved. In reality, it can't be, 'cuz it's as high as it should be. Your rigger is FOS.


There's a more detailed explanation, with the same photo, here:


http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,9331.0.html

[Calif.Ted]

Look around it.

[roverhi]

If the sail doesn't go to the top of the furler extrusion add a pennant at the bottom so it goes to the top. You can experiment using a temporary piece of line as a pennant to see if moving the sail higher will work for you. You can also raise furler drum with cheek plates ala Profurl.

If the sail is a decksweeper, the only solution may be a new sail with high cut clew. That and raising the sail/furler will get the sail off the lifelines forward and allow you to see under it from the helm. No matter what you do there will be some conditions that an overlapping sail will block the view to leeward.

[Juho]

Sometimes you can also furl the sail in a bit, and get better visibility under the sail.

[osprey877]

If the genoa is cut for a furler, it should already have a high cut clew. Decksweepers won't work in furlers. Raising the furler or using a tack pennant works so long as the boat is level. However, you give up sail area and as soon as the wind picks up and the boat heels over, you're back to square one as far as visibility goes.

Another benefit of a low tacked sail is a lower centre of effort, thus less healing. This is especially useful when the wind picks up and you have to partially furl the genoa. I wouldn't make any changes unless and until you've sailed extensively with the existing designed rig for the boat.

[seapop]

Great advice all !! I will ponder the situation and my options. thanks

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by seapop

In the final stage of buying my first sailboat, Catalina 320 2005. On sea trials it is apparent that the Jib/Genoa is so low that it blocks my vision from the helm. It also lays over the life lines up forward.

Two suggestions have been made to me:

1. move the whole furling system up toward the top of the main mast another foot or so.. appears to be some room up there..
Does this make sense? Is it difficult? Can I do it myself? $$Cost if not?

2. have a sail maker install a flexible window in the base of the sail in order to see through it.
?? good suggestion or not? $$Cost?

Any other suggestions? thanks

Consider asking a sail loft about altering the foot such that it gives you visibility and clears your life lines. You may sacrifice some performance. Cruising or racing?