Date: 12/29/2005
Name: Ivar Weierholt
email: ivarweierholt@hotmail.com
subject:Sail configuration
In the beginning, there were two San Juan 21 racing classes: Working Sails and All Sails. The Working Sails class raced with only a Main and the Class Jib (working jib). The All Sails class used main, working jib, Genoa, and Spinnaker as the skipper desired on any given day. In fact, I remember seeing guys using the main, Genoa, jib as a staysail, and Spinnaker all at the same time. (If you really want a good broad reach, use the Genoa and Spinnaker together.) Even using a jib and Genoa wing and wing (without a Spinnaker) has its place.The Working Sails class was usually (not always) populated by racers who were starting or learning about sailing/racing. (A lot of us started there) The All Sails group were (not always) the old hands of racing.
There were some Working Sails skippers who could outrun some of the All Sails guys. The 21 will generally point higher with the smaller jib, but the smaller jib has no where the driving power of the Genoa. That Genoa power is particularly useful sailing to heavy weather into a rough sea. The experience of ‘All Sails’ is also beneficial for those who would like to transition to larger boats at some point.
I am not a member of the Association, so I don’t really have a vote in this matter, but I have been sailing SJ 21’s for a long time. I would recommend a return to the original two classes of SJ-21; Working Sails ( main and jib) and All Sails (main, jib, Genoa and Spinnaker). Let these little boats do what they can. And let the skippers become proficient at sailing!
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