When to go with a Blade

tpf · Post by **tpf** » Mon May 22, 2006 11:20 am

I am used to racing dinghy's with modest sail inventories so I am still getting used to the 7.9. Can someone give me a rule of thumb when to drop from the 155 to a balde. We sail light handed (3 total) and last week we sailed OK but were over powered and a J24 running a 110 jib ate our lunch. We ran close with a couple of Capri 26's but they were running 135's with more crew.

I am always concerned with using the small jib because with light crew we could not do a sail change and I would be kicking myself if we paraded arund under powered.

I would appreicaite any advice.

Thanks
Terry

Tom Line · Post by **Tom Line** » Mon May 22, 2006 11:43 am

I would put up the blade with 3 people if I was healing more than 20 degrees.

This is also very dependent on the wave action. With larger waves, the smaller headsail lets you bear off and keep speed. The 155 forces you to continually pinch and one bad wave series can stop you dead in the water.

Jim Kloss · Post by **Jim Kloss** » Mon May 22, 2006 3:09 pm

What's the consensus of opinion on using a midrange genoa (135-140) under these conditions?

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9#8

Post by **Tim Bosma** » Wed May 24, 2006 11:14 am

She wants to sail upright, I agree with the 20 degree heel idea.
We have only the Class sails, but If we were racing PHRF (or something) then a #2 would be a good sail to have. We just added a #2 to the 32 ft'er I sail on for that middle wind range.