How much does a stay sail really add?

[csandys]

I've got a 32 foot cutter. This year I removed the stay sail, boom and stay. Tacking my 135 genny through the slot between the front stay and stay sail stay is difficult. Removing it also frees up deck space. I like the looks of the cutter, but it is easier to sail without.

My question is, how much more speed does the stay sail add. I've only been out a couple of times without it, but not enough wind to get to hull speed.

[Brian Duff]

its not always about the speed.

staysail is a sail which aids in balance through the range of conditions, aids in handling the boat in tight quarters, and also with the right headsail can improve speed. if you are using a 135 genoa then the staysail should likely stay down. if your 135 is yankee cut as in that photo, then the staysail will add a lot of power. the subject is very complicated and I could fill a book explaining it - youd be better to buy one of the many written on aero-hydro-dynamics of yachts.

keep the staysail up (sail hoisted) and the headsail should tack through the slot fine. you dont have to try and tack them at the same time, leave the staysail till after your done with the headsail, it tacks really easy then....
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[csandys]

That picture shows the yankee up, not the 135.

I wish I had it up the other day. We were casually sailing around Lake Union, but the fireworks barge takes up the center, leaving two slots to sail. Since it self tacks, it would have been nice to have when beating into the wind and not dealing with the genny on each tack.

I'm thinking of making it optional, but I need to work out boom storage and a way to keep the stay happy when not attached.

[Ian McColgin]

On most boats the staysail will give a serious boost unless it's light air and a 200% or more genny. So, why not test your speed with your actual sails? So much better than hypothetical answers.

G'luck

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
My friend Hasse, the great sailmaker, says, "If you set a forestays'l, you'll gain half a knot. And if you strike it, you'll ... gain half a knot." So usually the sail isn't worth it in combination with a well-set Genoa, but it is certainly great to reef down to.
As for easy handling, a Genoa should be handy with the forestay detached. If than's not enough, the best boomed stays hinge on a pedestal a calculated distance aft of the stay. And the safest ones have two sheets.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss