Storm Jib -- What size?

[allanc]

I have been thinking about getting a storm jib.  Any recommendations on size?

[Higgins]

Hey allenc,
I've been looking for something similar.

The dimensions for the #3 jib on the 365 (ketch) line drawing are luff of 36'10", foot 16'5", and leach of  31'8" (259 sq.ft.) to be made from 6.3 oz.  There are no dimensions for storm jib or storm sail.

My current #3 has a luff of 35", foot 15'4", and leach of 31'6" which works out to 240 sq. feet but it has a 16" pendant at the tack.  As it's set up right now, it seems to trim pretty well with the lead cars 3 positions from all the way forward.

Based on the above, I guessed that I wanted something in the 160-200 sq. ft. range.  Most of the used sails I've seen online around that size are high(er) aspect and I was worried that the proper lead would need to be farther forward than I could achieve.  Other then the jib car track, I have no way of putting a block further forward on the rail.  With that in mind, I sketched out my current sails on Solidworks and tried to find a candidate with a similar lead.  There weren't a lot to choose from but I found a 7.5 oz sail at Minneys Surplus (in Southern Cal) with the measurements; luff 30'4", foot 14'2", leach 26'7" which works out to a little under 190 sq. ft.  And sure enough, with the sail's tack on the deck I had a hard time keeping the sails leach from flogging when pointing above about 45 degs. which I took to mean my jib lead was too far back for the sail.  I'm currently experimenting with 2' pendant on the tack and this seems to work pretty well as far as trim although I'm going to try and shorten it a little more to get the sail closer to the deck.

I'm a novice sailor but with my old #3, I'd get my ass handed to me in sustained 30 knots (San Francisco Bay is windy this time of year) but I feel pretty comfortable in the 30-35 knot range with the smaller sail and 2 reefs.  I definitely still want to get a true storm sail in the inventory, however.

Anyway, just some ball park numbers.  I'd be interested in hearing what others are using.  Also very interested in dimensions and experiences flying a real storm sail.