I am taking delivery of a new HR34 in September (my first HR) and would welcome any advice on the choice of Genoa versus working jib, and of a gennaker sail.

By Andrew Crompton on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 09:05 am:

I am taking delivery of a HR34 in April and have ordered a (furling) Genoa instead of the working jib. It costs very little more. I spoke to two other owners and both found the working jib too small. They both subsequently bought Genoas and have never used their jibs since. I have ordered just the Genoa therefore.

If you haven't ordered furling gear, then you will obviously need a selection of head sails and a working jib is probably a good start.

I already have a cruising chute and will probably add a spinnaker. I don't have experience of gennakers but they look like a good compromise.

Regards,

Andrew

By Robert Tetley on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 11:08 am:

Our experience on a 42 was that the working jib was a lot more efficient than a part furled genoa.
So as long as you are willing to change sails,if performance is important, Both are necessary.
E-foam is a must on both.
Good luck
Bob Tetley

By Peter Slevin on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 06:34 pm:

I also had had thoughts on this and decided that as the 34 came with a working jib, I would take it initially, with foam luff so that I could reef if I had to. I found that with my previous 312 and 31 , I used the working jib for 85% of the time and if the 34 turns out to have different characteristics, I will add a gennaker later. I found the perfect set of the jib to be attractive as I was never totally happy with a reefed Genoa. My 34 also comes along in April so I may see Andrew in Ellos.

By Richard Chambers on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 08:50 pm:

I have been sailing my HR34 since June 2001 with the standard working jib. I wanted to see how she performed without an enormous genoa. I considered for the delivery trip it may be better to have a smaller sail for a probable trip to windward assuming the predominant SW for some of the time. This was a good plan.

I have now bought an asymetric cruising chute, which is fantastic, but it's a bit of a challenge to store it where it is easily accessible. I keep it it the forepeak right at the front. We sleep foreward so it means unmaking beds etc.

I would quite like a bigger genoa as well. I believe the 'break-even' point is about 14 Kts apparent where you would think about reefing a 140%, whereas the working jib is OK to 20/22Kts.

Depends too on your cruising area and season - we have been very happy with the jib in winter and in busy Solent for visibility, whereas last summer cruising Brittany in light winds, we felt we could do with a bit more.

All the best - we are still thrilled with our 34
Wendy and Richard

By jjorg50 on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 03:27 am:

We took delivery on our 34 early last spring and have used the working jib for one season. It is a very nice sail but for the light wind season we have ordered a 135% with foam luff for next year.

John and Marilyn Jorgensen

By chrisjusthere@tesco.net on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 04:49 pm:

Thanks for all your comments. I have decided to go for a fully battened main with foam luff working jib. We will see how we get on and consider a spinnaker / gennacker later.

By John Copson on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 12:23 pm:

Our new 34 is due to arrive by truck tomorrow. We have gone for the working Jib as we also had one on our 31 and never really felt it was at all underpowered for the boat. Since we mainly sail in the Solent, I certainly like the extra vision and ease of handling it gives you. I spoke to a couple of HR chaps (who both owned 34's) at the yard and they told me that in their experience the 34 sailed superbly with the working jib and that a genoa was of little advantage, accept in very light winds. They said the perfect set up for the 34 is the w/j supplemented by a furling gennacker mounted to the new removable bow sprit that they have recently produced. The foam luff on the jib is well worth having. Also unless you are having a cover for the jib don't forget to order a sacrificial strip to be fitted to the sail. I had to have one fitted retrospectively on the 31. Like most other things they don't come as standard!

By Bruno on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 09:41 am:

Note one thing: with Furlex and Elvstrom, sails are really easy to change ( I sail a 31 in Med).
I use the Genoa during summer, and the standart jib others times.
If I had to choose, I should keep the jib: from 15Kts to 30Kts the 31 is perfect (and 34 so),and don't loose a lot below.