Which is most versatile light air sail for a cruising cutter?

[Mg451]

I've got a downeaster 32 cutter rigged coastal cruising boat looking to do more offshore work. It's a heavy boat cutter rigged with a Yankee jib and staysail all heavy cloth. Boat handles great in 15 knots or better. I know nothing about spninakers genneakers code zero etc..I'm beginning my research though. Is there a go to light air sail for a cruising sailor? I'm considering a big 135 Genoa for light air. Should I discount any particular sail..just beginning my Google searches figured I'd start here though.

[barnakiel]

I would opt for the following sails :


A) For upwind work - a large LIGHT and tall jib.

B) For upwind reaching to medium broad reaching - a big, but not huge, LIGHT genoa sail. Lightweight dacron or heavy nylon. Nylon is nice as it is quieter, dacron lasts longer though, weight for weight.



C) For downwind days - twin light tall running jibs in heavy nylon or light dacron, with long long outriggers. To be flown from the jib deck point to the mast top and poled heavily out.


If you are reluctant to fly extra sails off hand, I would opt for replacing the outer (the one more forward) jib with one in light dacron, on a furler. Call it a light genoa sail. It is like a Gerber multitool - good enough for most general jobs. And inexpensive, and easy to carry around.


b.

[Mg451]

I was thinking a lighter cloth Genoa as you mentioned too (the multitool). I have a furler there allready so it'd be just a matter of a sail change for a light air forecast. What weight would be considered light and do you think a 150 or 135 would be over kill.. I see sloops sailing under big Genoa all the time so I figured I could put a light Genoa. Should I expect to beat if I had an overlapping Genoa? I could beam reach with it and run with it poled out so I'm thinking it could be pretty versatile in winds up to say 10 maybe 15 knots?

[Mg451]

I guess I will have to consider sheeting it in allegations point will it hit my spreaders too