I am going to be sailing south to the Bahamas and Caribbean in the next few weeks and I think I am going to need a smaller head sail. The genoa I have on the roller furler now is over powered in 20+knots. I can roller reef it and squeeze a few more knots out of it, but it can't point at all. From what I have read about the trade winds I think I can expect 20+ knots pretty consistently. I think I would like a hi clewed yankee that won't scoop up water and can go up wind (through the thorny path) a little easier.
Can anyone with experience sailing in this area tell me what they used for a headsail?
Does anyone happen to know the measurements of their high clewed yankee so I can start looking for some used sails?
Know a great place to find used sails?
We probably aren't going for a couple of years, but what we have in mind is a 9 oz. 100% jib. We have new full batten main and mizzen sails built out of 8.4 oz cloth stored away for that trip. With the main lashed down, the jib reefed to about 60% and the mizzen reefed, we should be good for about 45 kts. Above that you need a storm jib. A much better plan is to be somewhere else while the wind is screaming so that we don't need the storm jib.
You might try Bacon Sails for used sails.
I just bought all new sails for my Ketch from "Sailcare" I had originaly sent them all my old sails for cleaning and service they advised that they could build new sails for less money then they could repair the old ones.
Long story short my old 130% was still in fair to good condition and they said they could re cut it to make a smaller sail and sell it on, they may still have it and may be able to do you a deal on it I was dealing with the owner "Jim" he is a really nice guy. Think I paid $3600.00 for a new main 2x reefs, mizzen 1x reef and 130% jib which included my old 130% as a trade in.
Good luck.
Ed
S/V Moonlight Mile #110