Genoa Reefing/Furling

[Firehoser75]

This question may have been answered before, but my search didn't reveal it. My boat has an I dimension of 12.87 meters and a J of 3.95 meters. What percentage of sail (or what length along the foot ) would I "furl" to put in a "1st reef", a "2nd reef" , etc. for a roller furled 135% genoa. Main sail reef points are easy, but the genny has been only by guess and by golly so far. I would like to put some marks on the foot to visually make the process easier.

Thanks,
Tom

[imagine2frolic]

Put in what ever amount of reef that makes the boat sail comfortable. On the tack of my headsail are 2 canvas strips that I use as markers. Some people mark their furling lines for an indication of how much.........i2f

[harryrezz]

i2f is right on. It really doen't matter what numerical percentage of the headsail you've rolled in - just roll in enough to make the boat sail comfortably. That said, rolling up a headsail also compromises sail shape. You won't have an optimum shape to that rolled up headsail .... but as long as she sails well, or at least better than she did before you reefed, who really cares? Hey, we're not talking rocket science here!

[delmarrey]

You have approx. 25.42 Sq. M. (135%) of sail depending on the angles and roach.

A first reef at 100% (approx. 18.83 Sq. M) would make your foot approx. 2.95 M.

A second reef at 75% (approx. 14.12 Sq. M) would make your foot approx. 2.19 M.

That's the best I can do w/o knowing the luff and roach sizes, and shelf, if any.

[MidLandOne]

A diligent sailmaker will have marked the foot of the genoa at the reef positions equivalent to the traditional hanked sizes when he built the sail - so for a 150% genoa the foot will be marked at approx 135%, 110% and 85% overlap.

Our own is marked with vertical strips of blue tape stitched on (and glued too from memory).

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by MidLandOne

A diligent sailmaker will have marked the foot of the genoa at the reef positions equivalent to the traditional hanked sizes when he built the sail - so for a 150% genoa the foot will be marked at approx 135%, 110% and 85% overlap.

Our own is marked with vertical strips of blue tape stitched on (and glued too from memory).

Mine is as well...Also you want to go out and practice with lead car adjustments and mark them on the deck or track as well for each of thoes reef points if you do indeed plan on using them...then its a quick, easy and repeatable set for each one....I'm to lazy of a sailor though and as Harryrezz stated it dosent have to be engineered to the ninth degree it's not like were on an Americas cup boat...
But it could help claw you off a lee shore getting every bit of sail trim you possibly can...so I say its worth the initional exercise rather you regulary use it or not.

[imagine2frolic]

My headsail is marked twice, and the staysail marked once.

[Firehoser75]

Imagine,
What you have done (shown in your photos) is what I had in mind, although I also understand that boat performance (and comfort) is more important than using a "preset" position. I do understand that the sheet lead position has to move forward as you furl the headsail, and it would probably be a good idea to have marks placed to show where to have the lead for each point of "furl or reef".
I understand that having a smaller jib for heavier weather is better than trying to sail a furled sail (for several reasons), but that is not in the budget right now.
Thanks for the suggested percentages, all of this info is helpful.
Tom

[Joli]

I'm not a big fan of overlap on a cruising boat and less so a fan of rolling up a genny to reef it. Better to have the right size sail for the condition. That said I realize everyone sails with furling gear now so you are stuck, maybe the best is to give up some upwind Hp and use a jib (100 to 110%)for weather work and a assy for down wind work. Rolling a 150% can be ugly when the pressure is on.

[sestina]

Don't forget to measure along the LP (length perpendicular-aka right angle from luff to clew) to get accurate percentages.

The foot is not the width of the sail!

[imagine2frolic]

I just use them as a guage. Nothing is written in stone. Just after the second mark the shape of the sail is not so good to windward. It's okay off the wind, but by then when to windward it's time for the staysail to take over anyway.