3rd reef in main or storm trysail?

[Ryan T]

Setting up my CD33 for an offshore run from NC to Bahamas. Local sailmaker has looked at my main and says that a 3rd reef in the main should work fine. What does everybody else think? Should I invest the time and expense of setting up a storm trysail on a seperate track or go with the 3rd reef?



rdc@aol.com

[Brent Musolf]

Ryan,

Just a quick thought. Over the past few years I have been doing quite a bit of offshore racing and have seen many mains blow apart. The question is what do you do if the top of your main shreads. On the race boats we have always had extra mains to warrent the risk of using the main in really bad weather, can you?

Brent Musolf



sailcovers@usa.net

[Russ Campbell]

One kind of cool idea I have heard is to put extra sail slides above the main headboard if you have room. You can use these to attach a storm sail saving you the trouble of putting on an extra track. My personal opinion is to go with the third reef.
Russ

Setting up my CD33 for an offshore run from NC to Bahamas. Local sailmaker has looked at my main and says that a 3rd reef in the main should work fine. What does everybody else think? Should I invest the time and expense of setting up a storm trysail on a seperate track or go with the 3rd reef?

camroll@together.net

[Zeida Cecilia-Mendez]

Ryan: If you are careful about when you go, your trip should not be too long or dangerous. The 3rd. reef on the main of the CD-33 will give you a very good working storm mainsail. Try this option first. if you were to do more offshore sailing, I would recommend the second track and a separate storm trisail. I just met Derek Hillen, who is sailing a CD-33 "Galileo" from New England to Australia, via Cuba, Guatemala, the Panama Canal, and on to the South Pacific, via the Galapagos, Easter Island, and south... His CD-33 is very well prepared for offshore singlehanding (he is travelling alone). He did add the second track and has his storm main and storm jib ready to go. I have a CD-33 "Bandolera II" in Miami (Key Biscayne) and sail in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys, but so far, have never had to reef at all. Even sailing in 25 kts. she is fine with all sails up. Good luck on the trip. You should enjoy the Bahamas, they are great! Don't miss the Abacos. Cheers.
Zeida



zcecil@ibm.net

[Ryan T]

Brent,

No, I can not carry an extra main due to cost and storage space considerations. I wonder if the blown main problem occurs more under racing conditions where crews are trying to push their boats to the limit. My sailmaker says the main is in good condition and will do well with the addition of triple stitched seams.

Ryan,

Just a quick thought. Over the past few years I have been doing quite a bit of offshore racing and have seen many mains blow apart. The question is what do you do if the top of your main shreads. On the race boats we have always had extra mains to warrent the risk of using the main in really bad weather, can you?

Brent Musolf

rdtec@aol.com

[Ryan T]

Setting up my CD33 for an offshore run from NC to Bahamas. Local sailmaker has looked at my main and says that a 3rd reef in the main should work fine. What does everybody else think? Should I invest the time and expense of setting up a storm trysail on a seperate track or go with the 3rd reef?

rdtec@aol.com