S2 7.9 Meter Class Association

I have a 7.9 and a paceship 26 and I am trying to decide which one to put on lake Champlain. I sailed both on a smaller lake with light winds with minimal problems, but Champlain is big(10 miles wide) and gets strong winds and waves. My concern is that I will be single handing with my nonsailing wife and 4year old. The Paceship sailed well under main only in heavy wind(masthead rig so realtively small main), I never could find a way to handle the 7.9 solo. Racing we had no trouble as I would depower the main and have the jib pull, but singlehanded I could never get this to work. Likewise, the 7.9 main is so big that even when sailing under it alone things could get a little squirrely in heavy air. I really like the7.9 but I need a way to sail it solo safely in heavy air to be comfortable having it on Champlain.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated

I find this boat likes to have a jib and sails easier. So in heavier air I would use the 105 and one could put a single reef in the main, should handle pretty good. But if you have to tack then help would be desireable. I have never reefed the main on a 7.9, so not sure how it would perform reefed without a jib. Jeff

Hi Bob
I agree with Jeff. The boat needs a jib to sail well and the 105 is quite easy to handle. I've always found reefing to be more hassle (danger) than its worth. But if you need to do it, a topping lift or boom kicker / rigid vang is a great help.

Glad you like the boat.

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Bob,
I solo my 7.9 on a regular basis on Lake Erie. I find the best combination for me is a 150 head sail on a furling system, and a auto pilot for the tiller. As far as reefing the main, it is my opinion that if you feel that the conditions for that day might call for one than you shouldn't leave the dock without one. I find that on most any day when sailing with one or even two reefs in the main and a full head sail the 7.9 handles with out any real loss in performance. If the boat starts to become over powered it is no problem to fall of to a reach and furl up what ever I need in head sail to regain control.

Art
Gusty 2
#268

Bob,
My wife and I have cruised Lake Champlain for many years in our 7.9 ARAGORN. The first time was for two weeks with a 3 month old baby. The bigest problem with the lake is that the weather comes in from the west over the Adirondacks very quickly. We have started out from Mallets Bay in a plesent 10 kts., struggled with 25 knots with 30+ kt gusts and been becalmed before reaching our home port of Willsboro Bay on the west shore.
I find that the 105 is our predominant headsail for the lake. With the 105 and a double reef main we have survived 40+ kt gusts. The real problem is the ease of reefing. If you wait until it is blowing 25 to reef than it takes two to tango. However if you are willing to reef down at 15 to 20 then, using an autopilot and letting the jib do all the work, one person can do it. Like any fractional, the trick of heavy weather sailing in the 7.9 is to keep the jib happy. A flat or even partially backwinded main with a very low traveler keeps the boat on its feet and moving forward.
Hope to see you on Champlain.