On many boats the Genoa is the main driving sail to windward. It's also the one which often poses the biggest question: do you choose a roller reefing system, or a suite of separate headsails?
In answer to this, we have a vast selection available.

STAYING SEPARATE...

For most cruising sailors, rolling genoas are now the automatic choice - but let's not forget the benefits of individual sails. Perhaps most obvious is their simplicity and inherent reliability.

The chances are, if you choose separate headsails, that you'll actually need fewer than you might imagine. Sometimes, for example, just one Genoa plus a 100% or 115% jib will cover most of the wind range. Even on masthead-rigged boats, reefing points in the genoa can limit the wardrobe to two or three headsails plus a storm jib (which you need even with a rolling system).

...OR GOING FOR A ROLL?

Despite the advantages of separate headsails, roller reefing genoas make more practical sense in many cases. They give you infinitely variable sail area, which can be controlled quickly and easily from the cockpit.

The other major benefit of reefing systems is the need for fewer sails. Nonetheless, there's much to be said for having two, rather than using the same one for everything down to storm jib conditions.

ROLLER REEFING SAILS AND UV PROTECTION

The effects of ultra-violet light on sails is dramatic. Tests have shown that the strength of standard polyester is reduced by 50% after six months' continuous exposure.. Since no cloth suitable for sail construction is currently sufficiently resistant to UV light, your alternative with radial genoas is a sun-sleeve which you hoist over the rolled up sail - or you can stow it below.

FOAM LUFFS

We can overcome the problem of over-full reefed genoas to a large extent by cutting them flatter than a dedicated sail of the same size when fully open. If they're too flat, though, they'll lack power in lighter conditions. The answer is to incorporate foam strips down the luff, which remove some of the fullness as the sail is rolled around the headfoil.

Careful consideration must also be given to cloth and storm jibs.

These are, of course, general guidelines. We'd be pleased to discuss your specific requirements in detail. Fill out our enquiry form and we'll make sure you receive an on-line quote and our extremely comprehensive brochure packed with information.