Tartan 3700 Replacing the Reacher

[christianbarner]

Our 2007 Tartan 3700 150% reacher has reached its last and we're about to order a new one. Is there any good reason to consider a slightly smaller cut than 150%? Since we bought the boat in 2017, we've found the reacher a bit oversized, difficult to roll in completely, and most useful in pretty light air. Just trying not to buy a new sail without considering alternatives. Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

[Stu Jackson]

Link to another link:


Jib Size Selection 101
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7704.0.html

[Snore]

Christian

As a former T-33 Owber I know there is a robust Tartan group and on an owners forum. Posting your query there will get some solid advice from T-3700 owners.

[christianbarner]

I should have added that the Tartan 3700 is also rigged with a 95% self tacking jib located just about 6 inches behind the reacher. Typically we short tack out to open water with the self tacking jib and then only deploy the reacher on long downwind legs.

[psk125]

"Reachers" are probably called something else now - "Code XX" or whatever fashion and the marketing department dictates. Generally people want them to be as large as possible because they're using them going downwind, often in light air. (This can happen in Maine, though perhaps not as often as in some other places.) Getting one that is too small somewhat defeats the purpose of having one. Have you considered that your old one was difficult to roll up because it was too bagged out - stretched with age and use - to roll properly? A new sail the same size might not have that problem. Talk with your sailmaker.

[Jammer]

I have a 155% on my Tartan (which lacks the self-tacking blade that yours has).


Generally, the 155% is enough to provide reasonable (non-race) performance on a run in light airs through a gentle breeze, good enough for us that we do not need to carry a spinnaker or other downwind-specific sail. I find that there are many times when we have it unrolled all the way. Typically we do not set the pole (it isn't properly rigged) but we use the genoa track on the toerail to get it to set right on a deeper run.


Whether it makes sense for you will depend on what other light air/downwind sails are in your locker as well as the prevailing winds where you sail.