Name: Ivar
email: ivarweierholt@comcast.net
subject:
I don't understand the aversion some people have to the Genoa on a San Juan 21. I still think it is the best sail on the boat.
In the 'old days' of early 21 fleet racing (I'm talking the 80's,) we often had 15-20 boats out for a weekend regatta. Even the Wednesday night races would have 10-15 boats. We sailed "working Sails" or "all Sails". Working sails were, of course, a class main and class jib. "All Sails" meant a class Genoa (130%) and possible a class spinnaker added to the working sails. The idea was to allow novice sailors (sometimes dingy sailors moving up) to learn the ropes with working sails in a 'keel' boat and gradually add a Genoa and then spinnaker prepratory to moving up to larger boats. It worked well. Fleet (Fleet #1) races were usually around the bouys, but occaisionally we raced 'around the bridges' (two floating bridges on Lake Washington. We made it even more interesting by racing 'around the bridges' at night.). We even sailed a course we called 'M-1', or around Mercer Island. This brought an element of navigational skills into the mix.
We had many cruises that were day trips or just overnighters. From Seattle, destinations like Poulsbo, Blake Island, or even just up to the north end of Lake Washington were easy and fun.
Back to the Genoa... Here is a photo of my first SJ21 (#332, "Champagne") that was taken at the Western Districts in Everett, WA in about 1987. The Genoa works very well with the spinnaker in some situations. We also used to hoist the small jib under the Genoa on occaision. And, using a Genoa and jib in a 'wing and wing' downwind configuration is a natural lead-in to learning spinnaker work.
I realize that since I'm no longer an association or fleet member, I should just keep my mouth shut, but, I love these little boats and hate to see whats happening to them. I have one of the few fixed keel 'juans (which I prefer), can't compete with everyone else, so really don't have a voice here. I just felt the need to vent a bit. Thanks for your ear.
Ivar Weierholt
#1179, "Odd Juan"
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