Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

Well, I think with the Westsail 32, Bill C would probably have had it right when he designed-it...

I assume that you haven't modified the boat with wheel. In that case you have a tiller and the boat should have been set-up for a end sheeted boom. I'd go that way with an extension on a dodger which you cold pull-out as a bimini. I think that would provide better protection while you in a natural position at the helm. I don't think that a mid-sheeted boom will work with your boom because i) it would have to be too far forward in the length of the boom; ii) you really would have to screw around with where you'd need a traveler and where you reinforce it on the coach roof; and, iii) I think that where you'd want to have the main sheet adjusted to wouldn't be as natural as where it was originally designed. The winches, unless you did something weird, would seem more natural with an end-sheeted arrangement.

I'd use a loose footed sail with slab reefing. If you had two full battens on the lower part of the sail; and, then I think I'd use lazy jacks.

I would consider running the reefing lines back to the cockpit (under the dodger). I would probably opt for two reefs vs. three on the main -- but I'd make first and second ones deeper than the "conventional" daysailer locations. I think that you could consider the deeper reef you storm position; and the first reef you "second". The Westsail 32 shouldn't be tender; and, you really have enough line to mess with when you're done.

Here, in different colors (probably) is what it might look like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westsail_32#mediaviewer/File:Westsail_32_at_Pillar_Point_Harbor.jpg

Messages In This Thread