I need to begin to update my headsail inventory and would like some advice. Most of the sailing I do is short handed cruising and day sailing, but I have some interest in beginning to do some double or single handed racing on Long Island Sound? It seems I have three choices.
1. A traditional #1 that would work with my existing luff track. the advantages are it is the least expensive approach with the least amount of retrofitting or hassle
2. A new #1 with hanks and convert my other headsails to hanks. The advantages are ease of handling on the foredeck for shorthanded crew.
a bit more expensive to retrofit other sails
3. A new roller furling headsail. advantages are obvious. disadvantages are that it is significantly more expensive (new harken furling unit, rigging costs and several hundred dollars in UV protection etc.) and would probably make the boat less competitive for any racing.
What would others do in this situation?
Would a new assymetric, in addition to the new #1, be something that would add significant flexibility?
