Date: 12/29/2005
Name: Stephen Jensen, Fleet 1 Seattle
email: charmedjuan@comcast.net

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subject: Genoa's

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Here in Fleet 1, we have been going with the working sails and the Spinnaker class. No Genoas.

Three years ago, we were working sails only. We started the Spinnaker class in 2002. We have had between 3 and 6 boats in this class and between 4 and 9 boats in the working sails class. Oddly enough, Working Sails boats place well and even win races. It seems that when courses are short, the working sails boats keep right up with the spinnaker boats. It takes courses of 0.7 miles between the windward and leeward marks or longer to really let the spinnaker boats pull ahead.

I personally don't like the Genoa. Mostly because here in the North West, we don't get constant winds. Winds can suddenly increase from 5 to 15 mph. This can cause havoc with the big foresail. Sail choice can make as much difference in winning as tactics or sailing skill.

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