I am adding a furler to my 1973 Ericson-27 and i need to change out my 165 genoa to a furler compatable sail. The 165 is in pretty good shape , but i don't know whether to have it converted or try to buy a used one from someone in the community or buy a new one . After paying for the furler and stay and the other necessities , money is a concern. please give me your comments and suggestions.
From my memories of the 70's (I know, I know... if I can remember it I probably wasn't there...) Large Overlap Genoa's could be used to max out the sail area under handicap rules and this % overlap allowance was about 163 to 165.
Those monster genoas were promoted to be useful in very light air on darned near all production sailboats.
Production boat builders seeking an advertising edge would always ape the racing boat "look" and were often offered with a 150% genny option. I used to sell some small boats with a "full sail" inventory option of a main, 110% "Lapper", 150% genny, and of course a tri-radial spinnaker package.
As I owned other boats over the years, and sailed a lot for fun as well as entering races, I found that a medium/light 135% was about all the Big Genny I would ever need. And nowadays have even abandoned that large of a genoa for something smaller yet.
Having said that, there are always going to be 5 kt days where a large overlap genny will have you going to windward in awesome fashion. At least until a huge Bayliner wake kills all of your momentum!
There are many experienced E-27 owners here to weigh in on the best all around size for the headsail for that model. My SWAG is that most would suggest that you source a new dacron sail from a "value" sail maker like Lee Sails, to name just one. Put that sail on a new furler.
The fore triangle on that boat is pretty large, so a 120% to a 135% might be be good compromise. This all depends on the average wind strength in your area, too.
You did not ask (and unasked for advice is the curse of the internet) but if the main on your boat is well used, do consider having it inspected to see if the shape has migrated aft and a thrifty recut is needed. I have done this on our last two boats while budgeting for new mains, and the difference in speed and (lack of) heeling and helm effort was immediately apparent.
Gotta say, if I had known how
much we would love both roller furling and ST winches (on our present boat) I would have somehow found the $ to put both on our prior boat!
Fair winds,
Loren