Gail Sail vs. Releasable Fore stay for Storm jib

[hlboat]

Hi,
We were considering installing a releasable inner fore stay for a storm jib, but have discovered the Gale sail as an alternative. Has anyone used a Gale sail before (a storm jib that wraps around the furled Genoa) and are there any advantages or disadvantages to using this system instead.

As far as I can establish, it would be less expensive and of course one would avoid the chafing on the wire and ropes.

Any points of view would be welcome.

Thanks

Helen

[tomina]

I have seen this advertised and reported on in the U.K. boat magazines who seem to say its O.K. but I'm not sure. I think the big problem is that you have to go on the foredeck to set it up. You cannot do this this until you have fully reefed the roller genoa. But (for me) most importantly, if it is set on top of the furled genoa it has to take the (Fat) shape of that sail with all the adverse windage that creates. With an inner forestay the centre of effort is brought closer to the mast,which is where you want it in a blow. Hope that helps tomina

[davideso37]

I am interested in this topic too. The fullness at the front of the Gale sail should not be a problem. The windage arond the "fat" luff should be no more than around the furled genoa which I presume would still be on the forestay. The problem of going forward to set the sail still remains. Does anyone have first hand reports on setting up the Gale sail in a real blow?

[MartyB]

There is a local fellow to me that converted his hanked on SS to a gale sail setup. Not sure if he has used it or not. Right now he is in Hawaii enjoying his and spouses B-days, I believe they get home in a day or two. He does read here upon occasion, so will see if he responds as to how it works.

Then, sailing in Puget sound, is not like sailing in an open ocean, so going on the foredeck in a 35+knot wind where one might use this sail, is not a big deal, as waves will be 5-8' at best around here! Even if the wind is force 10/hurricane strength or above,

marty