Roller genoa and parts of a sail Head
Sail systems Headsails
The hanked-on headsail
Rarely seen today, each hanked-on headsail is specific to one particular wind condition, so a minimum of three should be carried. For short-handed work, the system is superior to the racing headfoil arrangement in that the sail is more readily controlled while hoisting or lowering. Its advantage over the more usual roller headsail is that smaller, dedicated sails set better for stronger conditions than part-rolled genoas.
Changing a headsail at sea
The foredeck can be an ugly place for a person struggling with a sail, so it is important for crew to be protected, particularly when changing down headsails in a rising wind. Matters can be eased greatly by heaving to if searoom is limited (see page 106), or running off the wind and ‘hiding’ the headsail in the lee of the mainsail, when space and time permit. The same techniques can be deployed for any emergency on the foredeck.
The roller genoa
Roller-reefing genoas have the huge advantage that a boat can carry the right area of canvas at all times with comparatively little trouble. This to some extent offsets the fact that even the finest examples do not set so well as a hanked-on sail when reefed. To optimise the shape of a progressively reefed sail, first make sure there is plenty of halyard and backstay tension, then address the position of the sheet fairlead, which should usually change as the sail is shortened. Most boats have a ‘car’ system for this. Ideally, this is adjusted by leading the tail of a tackle securing the fairlead to the cockpit. As the sail is shortened, the car should be moved forward so that neither the foot of the sail nor the leech becomes too full. To be sure the position is right, close-haul the sail, then steer progressively up to windward and note whether the luff begins to ‘break’ all the way up simultaneously. If the lower part backwinds first, move the car aft; if the upper, move it forward. Make a note of the correct car position for the number of rolls in the sail, and setting up will be easy next time.
Leech Luff
Fairlead reefed
Fairlead unreefed
Tack Clew
Foot
24 | MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP
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