Wanted Roller headsail for a Moody 31 Mk II

[Keith Trevorrow]

I am looking for a roller headsail for a Moody 31 Mk II that is smaller than the 135% Genoa she came with.
I still think in terms of hanked on head sails something that equates to a Working Jib / No 2 headsail for high 20 knots of wind.
Happy to hear about others ideas and experiences on high wind roller headsails for the 31.

 

[Ben Robilliard]

I am looking for a roller headsail for a Moody 31 Mk II that is smaller than the 135% Genoa she came with.
I still think in terms of hanked on head sails something that equates to a Working Jib / No 2 headsail for high 20 knots of wind.
Happy to hear about others ideas and experiences on high wind roller headsails for the 31.

Hi Keith
There are 2 options, 1 is to replace the 135% with a smaller sail, or 2, reef the 135% in higher winds.
Reefing the large sail can be difficult to get good shape without a padded or roped luff.
I have a 145% and a couple of 115% on my 31mk2.
I am selling the 145 and one of the 115s. And I will sail with a 115 and a cruising chute. I can take up to around a F6 with all the sail out, and be confident. Depending on the crew and the point of sail I will reef the jib a bit at 20kts. And progressively more on both sails thereafter.
I believe that will give me enough sail plan options for my South Coast and cross Channel sailing.
This hopefully will give you an idea about the options.
The 145 I have is old and baggy, almost a chute and ideal on a beam reach or downwind, but I don't want to be changing sails to go upwind or in heavier weather.
Ben

 

[Keith Trevorrow]

Hi Ben
Many thanks for the info and sharing your experience.
I bought the 31 Mk II last Oct and have sailed her twice so far and each time in F3/F4 so was happy with the 135%.
The headsail has a padded luff and is in reasonable nick for a 13 year old sail.

I guess I need to get more confidence in the 31 as full 135% in F6 goes against my gut feel and experience.
The last few years I have sailed a 49’ Oyster Sail Training yacht and would definitely be looking at a No 2 headsail in a F6.

My preference would be to have an un reefed 100% (or thereabouts) foresail in a F6 rather than a heavily reefed 135% carrying a lot of top hamper and a poor sail shape. But as you suggest, the trick is knowing when to swap the sails over as this is not something not ideally undertaken in a blow in The Channel.

Where are you based ? I am likely to be in Shotley from 1st April.
What age / condition / price for the 115% you are selling ?

Regards

Keith