Headsail Rigging Question

[Kim]

I just finished reading Brian Hancock's book "Maximum Sail Power". His "Basic Sail Inventory" on page 155 confuses me and I hope someone on the Forum can assist me in understanding it. In his basic inventory, he lists two headsails that would be hanked-on the forestay: 150% No. 1 genoa and 98% blade/heavy weather jib. He also lists a 130% roller-reefing jib.

I always thought that you had to make a choice in how you handled your headsails. You either had a roller-reefing headsail that you rolled down when you needed a smaller jib. OR you had several headsails of different sizes that you hanked-on the forestay. I thought they were mutually exclusive choices.

What confuses me is that Hancock lists both kinds of headsails in his "Basic Sail Inventory" and "Additional Sails". Is there a way I can use both systems, or do I choose one or the other? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Kim

PS I guess I should have said in the beginning that I sail a 25-foot fractional sloop rig boat.

[usa2]

i sailed on a 58 foot boat that carried a 150% genoa and having a 130% one is not very useful as there will be not many opportunities to use it, as when the wind picks up to the point the 150% is too much, then the 130% is also too much. of course, this could be because of the type of boat. Roller reefing headsails isnt always a good idea, as i have found that it can damage the furler and you dont get a proper sheeting angle by roller reefing. If i were you i would go with the 150% and the 98%.

[Sketch]

Just a thought, but perhaps he meant to have twin forestays, one in front of the other. The after forestay would accomodate the 130% on a roller to be used for general purpose sailing. In heavier weather bag the blade on deck so that it can be hoisted in a hurry, else if the conditions are light and you will be doing a lot of broad reaching hank on the 150%.