Cutter Vacationer on the road home

[Guest Aurora Wolf]

After two days sailing on Big Lake, Alaska, I am headed back to Fairbanks tomorrow morning. Roller furler worked great, very happy with performance. Sailed with all three sails up, used both jibs seperately, and I can definately say the furler is staying. The addition of the roller furler is a plus, remarkable improvement up and down wind. If you like lines this is the modification for you. I would sujest crew, though I could handle the rig myself in a pinch. Mike Pennington

[Tim Diebert]

Sounds Grand Mike.

I wonder what it would take to make a roller device that would give you a decent reefed sail shape.

I am re-rigging my boat right now and had concidered such a device so I could use a larger headsail...and be able to reduce to a jib size easily and from the cockpit....but I have not seen anything (so far) that does this.

I guess this is why you have added the inner sail and the cutter layout

[High C]

Tim, interesting issue, the question of sail shape on a partly rolled up jib. My question is an honest one, out of ignorance. Why would it matter? When you're reefing isn't it the goal to make the sail less efficient? Why do we want a proper shape in such a circumstance?

I've thought about this on my 30' plastic boat, which has a roller furled 150% genoa. The boat is easily overpowered and I often find myslef rolling that big genny up halfway or more to slow the boat down below terror speed. Why does the shape matter?

Thanks!

[Tim Diebert]

Good question Mr. C

From my way of thinking I want to maintain a smaller, yet efficient headsail and still sail well up.

From what I have seen of any boat actually sailing with a half furled headsail is the sail shape is odd looking and the sheet angle is all out of wack.

For me personally, what I like to do is the old fashioned thing...change sails to what is needed for the conditions. The layout and size of this boat prevents this.

I had thought to rig some sort of inner stay...but so far I have not come up with a suitable(for me) solution.

I am hoping that my boat will balance well enough with the new adjustable dagger board to possibly sail well to windward with just a main or reefed main alone. Time will tell.

[Mike Pennington]

Tim,

I think you are right, I flew all three sails, and alternated the two jibs. Depends on the wind, a sail for the right occasion, the stock jib heavy winds. Light air, slight breeze, unfurl a genoa. Keep the clew low, and one would have to buy a large tarp to get the right cut and angle for the sail. I will be making another sail within the next two weeks. I think one can achieve a well cut sail, that will furl and still maintain a low triangle, keeping the foot close to the deck.

The furler worked great and I the basic materials are cheap. I did not use the club foot I installed, because I got a better sail shape using double jib lines. Having four jib lines and a furling line can get a bit confusing, but with experienced crew it is easy. Plus the addition of some home made fairleads, soon.

The added fore sail allows the Vacationer to point higher by maybe ten degrees. This is an estimate, no compass yet, but there is a notice able difference. The added sail lets the boat power into bringing the bow about, no hesitation on light winded days.

Yes, there were a few hours when the wind blew hard, and I pushed the limits of the Vacationer. I sailed with the rail in the water for some time, :roll: I scared the heck out of myself more than a few times.

With the added sail the boat moves un-naturally fast, I would not recommend the furler for a novice sailer. To much sail, and the wrong discission, one could go swimming. I believe this is maybe why Peter Stevenson, never made any recommendations for increasing the sail area. Mike Stevenson mentioned in an earlier post his brother had also experimented with added sail area. Safety First! Experienced mad sailors only, ones that no how to swim, preferably!

Pics to follow soon, charging batteries, some should interest you. Mike