The Genoa

The genoa or “genny” is essentially an oversized jib. What is a jib? It is the sail ahead of the mast attached to a forestay (typically a wire cable) which runs either the from the top of the mast or up to 1/5 from the top, to the very front of the boat.

Jibs have been around for centuries and oversized versions allowed fisherman to get back to port and the markets quicker. The back of a jib known as the leech and this does not project back past the mast, whereas on a a genoa it continues further aft. It was named back in 1926 by a Swede who fitted one for a race in Genoa.

Typically a genoa that doesn’t have battens** will be stored by being furled or wrapped around itself around the forestay using a furler drum. Cooinda has a Profurl furler controlled adjacent to the helm station.

The genoa is controlled by genoa sheets (control ropes) which are lead back from the bottom of the leech at the clew through cars and tailed through jammers to winches.

When deploying the genoa the furling line is released from its jammer and allowed to feed out as the leeward (downwind) sheet is hauled in. This rotates the sail around the forestay and unfurls it. The optimal shape is obtained by pulling in on the leeward (furthest from the wind) sheet through the properly set car (pulley on a track). It too is a powerful sail, and can really only be wound in using a winch. unlike on a dinghy.

The proper setting of the sail giving optimal lift is determined by the telltails streaming straight back or perhaps just ticking up. The tell tails are light strips of nylon attached at strategic positions on a sail to help determine best shape of the sail for the conditions.

As with the mainsail we can “reef” the genoa thus reducing its size and destress the boat and rig by furling or winding in the sail using the furler.

(**rigid “slats” or flat rods in pockets inside the sails to provide strength and shape)