Thinking about towing my boat down to south Florida with camping gear for two weeks, perhaps Ten Thousand Islands. The Inter 20 is easily powered up, and I was wondering how it sails jib only. Jib only would be for windier days. Going with girlfriend (who is a bit scared of the boat when powered up) and looking to explore the beautiful areas. Want to take it easy. Planning to fly main and spin when wind is below 5 kts. Where would you go for such a trip? Thanks!

there are so many places to go here in sofl all the way from vero beach to the keys pig pine key comes to mind lots of places on the west coast in lee county that's fort myers on the river over there Stuart north of west palm you could launch on the intercoastal sail down then uber back to your tow . its all good merry christmas

Plenty of options. Cayo Costa state park is a fun trip, and you can keep heading south from there, Ft Myers and Naples are pretty developed but there are some pristine islands to explore. 10,000 islands is awesome but once you are down in there, there are few options to resupply or cut the trip short for equipment failure or bad weather. Not trying to discourage it, just be prepared. I have had some really nice trips in the keys, good sailing on the ocean side, good camping on the bay side.



Edited by jalex on Dec 23, 2017 - 09:39 PM.

Planning to sail jib only is not a good plan IMO. It sucks when I have had to do it. Get some reef points put into the main. Be conservative with the sail plan for a trip like that.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Bacho

Get some reef points put into the main.

This is great advice, and is based on experience.
You give up a lot of CONTROL when you go jib only on a beachcat.
Reef points may be a little intimidating, but on a Prindle the main is loose footed to the boom and the task is surprisingly simple, even when you heave to.

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Sheet In!
Bob
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Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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I agree with the two posts above. Sailing jib only will pretty much limit you to beam reaching at best and more than likely just broad reaching or running. The boat is not going to want to go upwind and will want to turn immediately back downwind if you do try to point up.

I would look into adding reef points in the main. The boat will be much more balanced with the main up. Otherwise, keep it parked on the beach if the wind is too strong.

sm

Adding reef points (for high wind sailing) comes with some other considerations (but if your talking about under 15 knots - just for light cruising these points are moot - just wanted you to be aware):

how are you going to secure your (now lowered) halyard?
adding a cleat to your mast base to secure a halyard (instead of using a hook or bead at the head of your mast) turns your normally slack hayard (if you have a hook system) into a 2:1 - adding not only compression but double compression to your mast - just make sure you can handle it or find another system (i have a spinlock inlline in my mast track to secure mine (when lowered), and i have a 2:1 purchase at the top of my mast to spread the load out higher up the mast)

The new reefed downhaul and outhaul require more than just grommets in a sail - they need to have re-enforced panels or stropes (or both) sewn in too or you risk a blowout in a critical area - at a high wind time


IMHO
If your doing this just for some cruising (in light to moderate air):

get a furling jib or dont put the jib on, and don't worry about converting your cat to a reefing one unless you really plan to sail in strong - heavy air at some point-

Lots of light wind days in florida too - just depower the snot out of your boat, no jib


if you really want/need maybe a small storm sail (an old sail can be recut for this)

and stay in on heavy air days (or find crew online here and scare the crap out of them instead of your girl)


YMMV



Edited by MN3 on Dec 25, 2017 - 11:50 AM.