INVESTIGATOR 563

Hi all:

I've recently had a genoa made for my boat, cut to the size recommended in the original sail plans -- and something I've never had before on my boat.

I've not yet had a chance to hoist it and go for a sail, but plan to ASAP.

In the meantime, I'm keen to hear from other Investigator owners as to whether they needed to fit additional deck tracks on either side to run their genoa's lines back to the cockpit, or whether the standard tracks on the cabin top are OK.

My concern is that with a larger sail pulled hard in using only the cabin rails, that the genoa would start to back wind the main.

However, I'm presuming the boat's designer would have thought about all this 35 years ago, and decided that the cabin top tracks will do the job.

Anyway, I'd be interested in the views of others who have perhaps fitted and tried both sets of track setup please.

Many thanks, Geoff

Geoff,
If you look at my video https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsSGZy ... zVCby-I4Kw
you can see that the genoa is sheeted right aft. Depends on the size of your genoa. What is the foot length? Yara's is not the regulation 3.15m, but rather 4m.

The tracks on the cabin top are no good for a genoa-too far forward, and too close in.

If you want optimum performance, a track on the side deck would be good, but probably not strictly neccessary.
Then you have to think of how to cleat the sheet. On one side (port) Yara has the original turning eye on the top of the cockpit coaming, and a clam cleat. On the other, in order to avoid the tiller auto-pilot, we have a turning block on the toe rail leading forward to a simple horn cleat. If you have winches, you might like to lead the sheet forward to the winch after the turning block.

Thanks Ian:

The foot on my new genoa is the regulation 3.15 metres.

I'll try it on the Bay and see how it goes on the cockpit tracks, and consider adding deck tracks if needed, once I work out how to return the sheets to my winches and cleats.

Cheers,

My code zero, which can act as a genoa, makes use of the spinnaker blocks at the stern of the vessel.

If I am sailing to windward then a temporary barber hauler (mine is a hook on a short length of line) between the block on the stern and the clew gets the angles right.

I have stopped using the cabin roof for my headsail sheet. The sheets are led back to the cockpit to a block fitted to an eyebolt which is mounted where the lazarette starts. I use the cabin roof track for barber haulers to adjust angles.

My temporary barber hauler is passed through this eyebolt and uses the snail cam cleats provided for the headsail sheets when going to windward. It sounds more complicated than it is.

I do have a video I can PM you. It sort of shows what I mean.

Hi again all:

Sunday in Geelong was perfect for hoisting (for the first time) my new set of sails, and they did not disappoint!

The 'wind' in the morning was barely 1-2 knots, so I was able to raise and test both main and genoa with QUMBU tied up at the jetty (see pics below).

The main fitted perfectly, but I will now get an Investigator insignia cut and adhere that to both sides at the peak.

The genoa seemed huge after my smaller No 2: so large in fact that clearly the cockpit mounted cars and tracks I'd been using were useless to haul it back with.

Instead, rather than lay further track either side on the deck beside the coamings, I plan to attach a block on either side to the base of the stanchions, then pull the sheets back up to my cabin top winches and cleats.

I'll also need to adjust the halyard block at the top, and take it up slightly higher toward where the forestay attaches to the mast. The current block was for a standalone furling jib, which by necessity had to sit away from the forestay by about 15cm.

We went out for a bit of a sail, and even in the very light conditions we were moving along very nicely.

I'd be interested to know what wind speeds other members sail their genoas up to, until they change down; I'm thinking about 8 knots or less? (Much depends of course on numbers aboard/ballast, experience, and bravado!)

Cheers,

A rude question on the sails Geoff - how much and where from!
Charles

Hi Charles:

That's not a rude question at all!

The two sails cost me about $1200, and include custom bags and Velcro sail ties.

They are made to the exact dimensions and batten fit/requirements as specified in one of the early Investigator technical documents.

I'm now saving for a No 2, to replace the one that came with the boat (from a Seabita, so slightly smaller than standard).

The sails were made in Geelong by Tony Bull, through his local business called Bull Sails -- which is attached to Royal Geelong YC.

So far, I am very happy with their fit and quality.

If you want further details, let me know.

Cheers,