I know the majority of racers here are OD, and go straight from #1 to #3 as the wind increases. But I would like to hear from those who have/use #2's, either in OD or PHRF.

I have been told by a local sailmaker that that with the #1 up in higher ranges, the main has to be twisted off more to depower, and that losing the leech tension makes it harder/impossible to keep headstay tension high so the #1 can be depowered.

Any comments on that arguement for a #2 cut for the headstay sag experienced in higher wind ranges?

For those using a #2:

Do you have a 155% or 162% #1?

What wind ranges do you use the #1, #2 and #3 for?

Do you always have full crew (7 or 8), and what adjustments for wind range do you recommend for 4-5 crew?

I am ordering a new 162% this winter, replacing my old sail that could not be depowered it was so full. My thought is to try the #1 alone next spring, see what improvement it gives, and defer the decision on #2 until then. But if there is still a large enough hold in the wind range that a #2 is needed to fill, I might just pop for both this winter and be set for the whole year.

Thoughts?

We used a 155 this year when winds were 19 gusting to 24. We won fleet both times.

I use the 2 when I am dealing with seas. I find that I can't get the bow down on the back of the waves and pound too much with the 3. I just don't seem to get the power I need on the front of the boat with that little hanky up front. We have a short gap between the waves on Lake Ontario and we need power off the backs of all the waves. I don't know what it is like where the swells are bigger and gaps between the waves are longer.

HHSA
Velocity Girl #278

We have a "class" #1. We're rarely carrying full crew (average 4-5). We sail western lake Erie with average water depth at 15 ft (similar to Narragansett Bay; short choppy seas. We don't hesitate to go to the number 2 when crew weight is down and wind is up. Seems you can sail the #1 with a marginally functional main or power up the main with the #2 up.

We don't have the luxury of sailing one design for speed testing. One other J/30 is in our fleet with old sails; next year will be a better test as he is updating his sail inventory. Our competition has typically been a J/92, Evelan 32, a couple of J/29's, two S2-9.1's, 1/2 dozen Hobie 33's, a Melges 30 and two Santana 35's. The # 2 has been our favorate sail ever since it came on the boat last season. We took class overall last year. We won class and and took PHRF overall this year.

Russ, what size is your #2?

We are often 2-400 lbs below the crew weight limit, so our old Dacron 140% works for 15-18 knots true wind. Better control and more comfortable, particularly in weeknight beer can racing with a crew of novices. We've been tempted to invest in a Kevlar #2, for weekend racing, but so far have not been able to justify the cost. One factor is choosing to match up against the competition in our OD fleet. If you are the only one with a different headsail, odds are 50:50 you're the one who is wrong. That said we've done several races where the #2 was notably faster in steady breeze and wind driven chop.

Don't honestly know. I asked to have it made class legal. Whatever that is, it is

Class legal #2 is LP=4800mm to 4907mm
LP/J is approximately 140%

My Number 2 is 140%

I raced a 145 roller furling last year phrf. and found that the +3 it gives doesn't seem to offset the smaller sail enough ... went to a 155 roller sail this year ... just feels better and more competitive. I set my reef point on the main a little lower than normal so that I can reef and not feel too guilty. I think it is better to have the extra area when you need it.

But you have to remember that with the roller the foot is 1-2 feet off the deck, but I still have to skirt.

Vic
Vee Jay http://captainvic.com/veejay2008.htm

[This message has been edited by Captainvic (edited 11-05-2008).]