Thanks to all of you - this is tremendously useful.
David, one last question regarding the #2, since I have no idea of its size.
Can you use it with the jib track?
My plan was to use the biggest headsail size that still fits the jib track.
I am not thrilled by extending the genoa track and I found that the #3 is the right sail for my wife and me.
If it is light I will just use my #1 - directly - as you suggested.
The sailing gap I am trying to cover comfortably is between 2 reefs main alone, no jib, and 2 reefs with the jib. In those conditions, I found that 1 reef in the main, main alone is the right power but with so much weather helm and drag that it is both tiring and slow.
Since I want to race single and double offshore, I also would like it to cover between #3 and storm jib.
Cheers,
The # 2 will not go to the jib tracks, it is a 135%. However you can have a full hoist #3 made which will give you a good bump in size but still fit the jib tracks (class legal is not a full hoist #3).
I have found that if you get the right sail balance the boat is very easy to sail with little helm. My wife has had little trouble sailing it in 20+ when I get the right sails up. We are however pretty whipped if we have to sail more than a few hours because it still takes a lot of main trim and traveler work to keep the boat on its feet in big puffs.
Also I have found that newer sails that have good shape and a well tuned rig make the boat much easier to sail without a lot of helm (unless you are on a tight reach then forget it).
When we go to Buzzards Bay, Nantucket and MV we will sail with a #3 on the furler, if we go to Maine we leave the #2 on. Around Boston we stick with the #2.
