What size jib do I need?

A minimum clew height of 36 inches is recommended, simply so the foot of the sail always clears the lifelines and does not have to be lifted or “skirted” every time the boat is tacked. Your second headsail should be a heavy working jib with an LP between 85-100\%. In more than 15-18 knots, this will be the sail to use.

How big is a working jib?

A working jib is no larger than the 100\% foretriangle. A genoa is larger, with the leech going past the mast and overlapping the mainsail. To maximize sail area, the foot of the sail is generally parallel and very close to the deck when close hauled.

What is a number 3 jib?

Reduced size Jib for use when the mainsail is reefed or nearly reefed. This sail is short of maximum luff length and has a reduced foot length to allow effective steering in large waves and reduce mainsail backwind. Similar to #4 Jib but sized to Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) guideline.

What is a 130 genoa?

A number one head sail would mean the largest genoa onboard the vessel. You might also hear a number like 130 headsail which means that the foot is 130\% greater that the mast to forestay base distance. So as you learn to sail, you’ll find the head sail is relatively easy to operate.

Is a jib a headsail?

The Headsail: This is a generic term that refers to any sail that sits forward of the mast. The most common is the Jib. When a jib is so large that it overlaps the mast it is called a genoa.

How do you tack genoa?

Run a light line from it forward to a block at the bow, and aft to the cockpit. During the tack, once the sheet’s released, pull the line to get the bulk of the sail forward of the mast, once the sail’s ‘blown through’ release it (making sure it can run free) and sheet the sail in as normal.

What is a #1 jib?

size matters. The sail area varies from boat to boat but is a 100\% jib just passes before the mast on a tack, then a #1 headsail would be about 150\% area, #2 is about 135\%, #3 is 100 to 110\% of jib, #4 is about 80\% and #5 is small, 35\% or so.

How do you size a drifter sail?

You can measure the luff of an existing sail to give us an accurate luff length. If you presently have a genoa that is 150\%, the foot length is 150\% of the J measurement. A drifter can be longer in the foot if your boat is set up for the increase in foot length.

What is a number 1 jib?

Light genoas, or G1s and Number 1s, are designed to be deep and powerful in lighter winds to maximize drive even at the expense of added drag and side force. Most modern yachts now have jibs only. Similar to a Number 1 genoa, the lighter jibs are designed to produce as much power as possible.