Hi my ten year old roller furling Jib is showing it's age so I am considering buying a Genoa and wonder if other members use same I generally sail in light to medium winds with occasional testing conditions!
I should appreciate input About
performance,handling,effectiveness,size sq foot/mts
costs and possible recommended suppliers.
thanks all regards
Ian Tyrrell
Atthis 26M
Hi. I have always used my genoa apart from one season when being repaired. I think if pointing to wind the jib with cars on coach roof is probably better but for most lighter reaching conditions the genoa seems to win hands down.
Sorry can't help on sources but Doyle who originally supplied macs are in southampton and their sail maker had the specs.
Roly
I have very recently purchased a 100% jib from Hyde Sails Direct in the US.
So far, I find that it does point higher, and even works pretty well in lighter winds. You won't win any races, but it is a really easy sail to use singlehanded. I have not had it out in stronger winds than 2-3, but ordered it with luff pads so am hoping it will hold its shape well when furled in a bit. It cost me about 350 pounds. Hope this helps.
David
Logan's Run 26M
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
hi Ian,
when I bought my 26M last year it had an unused genoa with it. I fitted it OK but it seems a little too short on the forestay and I suspect it may be for a 26x which I think is a bit smaller. However, it works OK but something to watch out for.
I find that it tends to wrap itself around the side shrouds when tacking so I've got some 32mm white pvc waste pipe to put over the shrouds next time I'm out. Should make them a bit more slippery.
When it is partly furled in higher winds it still works OK and may even have the effect of a padded luff?
Interesting this. We were in France last year and tore the Genoa in a strong wind, so took it to be repaired/replaced. Turns out replacement was the only real option had a quote about £400 I think.
In France in the meantime we fitted an unused Jib that came with the boat, Full size I think. To be frank the boat sails better with the jib than the Genoa. When in convoy with the others we kept up fine and if anything slightly overhauled them. So I decided to wait.
Last week out with my old mucker Nick (years of experience), he said 'this boat is really well balanced' took his hands off the wheel and said 'there it sails itself'.
So decided that the jib is lighter, easier to handle, better balanced and sails just as well if not better
Rod
I agree that is more balanced with the jib. I was able to find a point of sail where I had my hand off the wheel for about ten minutes.
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
sun rotted my original Doyle jib in Croatia and I bought a new Mac jib from Jeckalls and the difference was amazing. I take a small roll in to balance in some winds and even just use the jib when I'm lazy and on my own. Their service was also excellent. This was quite a number of years ago and I can't remember the cost. Never felt I needed a genoa.
I also have a cruising chute for the long down wind passages but now never use it so would sell if anyone interested, it comes with a snuffer.
Anneke Rahui 26X
Hi Anneke,
Why don't you use the cruising chute, is it a lot of trouble to deploy?
I was wondering if I should get one although I have yet to sail my Mac so maybe I'm a bit premature:)
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hi Mike
I used to use the chute when I sailed with my late husband, especially in Croatia where we cruised for 2 summers but on my own or with non sailing friends it is not so easy and I am older and and not so nimble on the foredeck anymore. I also have all lines led to the cockpit these days. It is not difficult to deploy with the snuffer and I still have the halyard in place with an extra hound near the top of the mast. I would get to grip with sailing your Macgregor first though.
Anneke
Many thanks Anneke!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
For me, the main problem with the chute was clambering up to the foredeck to hoist it which was okay as long as I had a competent crew to 'manage' the helm while I was away so following advice from Colin , Rick and Roly I set Sowenna up so that most things can be managed from the cockpit by attaching some jamming blocks to the base of the mast and feeding the halyards through them and back into the cockpit. It had to be done this way so as not to interfere with the rotating mast.
Oh dear, battery not holding its charge now. Discovered this in the middle of the Blackwater yesterday while trying to get home from a lunchtime visit to Mersea Island. More delays while i investigate.
Good Sailing and motoring.
Simon
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