Update on first boat - Cat. 27

[NavyPT]

Ok, update on my first boat. You may have seen my previous post on a Pearson 26. Rusty keel bolts scared me away. Looked at a 1989 Catalina 27 with inboard Universal M3-20 that started instantly. Super clean boat. Bottom just sanded, prepped, and painted. Shoal draft. We agreed on $8500. Since it's my first boat, I'm paying for a survey for peace of mind. The only problem is that the roller furling up front is missing the headsail. I plan on sailing the Chesapeake Bay area and its various rivers/bays. Which size headsail do you recommend?

So excited!

[NavyPT]

Forgot to mention that it's the standard rig version.

[Kevin84]

Anything from 130% to 150%. I'd go with 130% with a foam luff so you can furl it to 100% in higher winds.

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[Southern Star]

Congrats NavyPT, hope the survey works out. I'm with Kevin - if you can get a 130% with a foam (or rope) luff that enables the sail to maintain proper shape when reefed, you will be well served. Some (including myself) still believe that a 130 does not make a good storm jib when heavily reefed due to its construction and design (lighter dacron/seams/stitching/different shape/lower clew than on a dedicated storm sail), but it should prove quite adequate for sailng on the Chesepeake so long as you are reasonably prudent.

If you are buying new, there may be some manufacturer/s that produce and stock genoas for the Catalina 27; if so, they should be cheaper than a custom ordered sail. Considering the price/vintage of your boat and the number that were produced, you may also be able to locate a decent used one online.

Brad

[jeepbluetj]

You can get a sail for a C27 from pretty much any loft - it's so common they all have the design/measurements done for a standard sail.

Catalina Direct sells em: Catalina Direct: Heads'ls (May not be the best price, but they sell em with the fancy diamond logo and everything)

I've been thinking about a new main, and I found that I can just order it from all the mail-order lofts I've checked. You should have no problem finding a supplier for your sail.

You may also be able to find a used one pretty easily - since there's a billion C27s out there.

[ohdrinkboy]

I'd go 150 for the Chesapeake. Summer winds are light. If you have the $$ and time to look, consider a second hand 100% for windy days in addition to the 150.

[Kevin84]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

I'd go 150 for the Chesapeake. Summer winds are light. If you have the $$ and time to look, consider a second hand 100% for windy days in addition to the 150.

That's why I like the 130. You don't need a working jib in addition to your genoa. It's a good compromise sail.

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[NavyPT]

Thanks for the responses! Looking forward to getting out there.

[Cheechako]

If that's you only sail I wouldn't go over 130%. I know it blows pretty hard on the Chesapeake sometimes.