

Why is this page here and not on the WOA website?
Recently the Westsail Owners' Association website was moved to a new server that would allow the site to be more easily updated and maintained. While the basic content was successfuly transferred into the new site, a new Forum was started from scratch and the old Forum was converted to a collection of 41 PDF documents.Most of the Westsails are somewhere around 35 years old. They were well-built boats and most of the boats that were built are still sailing today... many half way 'round the world. But like all classic sailboats, they will all have problems over time, and most of the problems are relatively similar from boat to boat. There's a fair degree of likelihood that any problem that might come up has already been tackled by another owner. It's also fairly likely that the solution is buried somewhere in the archives of the Forum.
Long ago, I started downloading and archiving the entire Westsail.org website, with periodic refreshes. I did this mainly because I wanted a localized version of the site that I could access while cruising remote corners of the world, with limited access to the Internet. Perhaps the biggest benefit, however, has been the major improvement in my ability to search more than 11,000 posts efficiently.
It's likely that the old forum data could have been integrated with the new application, creating one contiguous and searchable source of information. But this would have required substantial programming and data manipulation and the decision was made by the WOA to take the current course. I therefore created this application as a means to preserve the seven years worth of resources that I consider to be incredibly valuable information for current and future Westsail owners. I hope you find it as useful as I have.
Jack Webb
1975 Westsail 32, Hull #438
svDrifter@gmail.com
Thread: "Jib Size - Largest Possible W/ Permanent Forestay?"
12,268 posts on 2,444 threads • From Mar 07, 2004 - Jan 08, 2012
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Jib Size - Largest Possible W/ Permanent Forestay?
Stephen Wylie (Member) |
What is the largest size jib sail that I can use without altering the standard original cutter config (staysail boom/forestay as-is)?
I don't want to lose the staysail, or put on a removable forestay - I just want to increase my sail inventory by one. Currently I have the staysail/Yankee combo that I believe was standard issue. I like it, and enjoy sailing with it. I have acquired a huge hank-on genoa, but I am not set up to use it. I am going to cut it down to something I can use. Thanks for any suggestions, Stephen |
Ralph Weiland (Member) |
I'm responding to this more by way of additional questions, than an answer. I suspect the largest Yankee area is the one the boat was designed to carry, which is what you have now. The yankee is fairly heavy cloth. If you need more sail (light wind), I don't believe a genoa is intended for a cutter rig aand vice-versa because it's tough enough to get the yankee through the slot as it is unless you time it right and let the wind help you. A large genoa would be nigh impossible. Instead, maybe a light asymmetric spinnaker would be more appropriate. But I'll be interested to hear what more experienced light-wind sailors than I am have to say...
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Gary Burton (Member) |
A lightweight reacher/drifter might be the ticket. That sail will be good up to about 10 knots and then your yankee/staysail/main will take over nicely.. I have a lightweight assym but it is not cut flat enough in my opinion... although we are still able to get to about 50 apparent. It might be worthwhile to talk to Kern about this. I noticed that Dave Kings reacher/drifter seems to be built out of more appropriate material in the right places...unless that is just reinforcing. Saraband: Elizabeth Ann: Assym with too much belly to use as effective reacher/drifter Last modified: October 16, 2011 7:40 PM | Gary Burton
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Bud Taplin (Member) |
Stephen Wylie wrote:What is the largest size jib sail that I can use without altering the standard original cutter config (staysail boom/forestay as-is)?
A genoa does not work well in combination with a staysail on a cutter such as the W32. |
David Wiencke (Member) |
I have a large genoa made by Westsail; Luff 41'2" Foot 25'10" Leech 39'2" It makes all the difference for sailing to windward in winds under 15kts. Off the wind we could carry it in up to 18-20kts. On anything fatter than a close reach we can add the stays'l to give us about another half kt in boat speed. Here's a clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGVswlhZjLA I have the quick-release forestay and use it if we're tacking alot, but if I only have to tack once or twice, and feeling lazy can get that genoa through the slot with some help from the wind. The super yankee dimensions might be what you're looking for. Aaron compiled a list of sail dimensions and it might be somewhere on this site. Aaron? My super yankee is a little smaller than Kern's, but the cut is such that the sheets can be lead between the upper and lower stays getting a flatter trim and closer to the wind. Here, in 12-15kts. Luff 41'6" Foot 18'2" Leech 32'8" |
David Wiencke (Member) |
As long as the luff isn't longer than about 43', or whatever your hoist is, you might want to try the sail first and see how it works as is. |
Stephen Wylie (Member) |
My super yankee is a little smaller than Kern's, but the cut is such that the sheets can be lead between the upper and lower stays getting a flatter trim and closer to the wind. Here, in 12-15kts. |
David Wiencke (Member) |
Got a couple of shots of the big jenny close-hauled in about 5kt wind. luff 41'2", foot 25'10", leech 39'2 |