Interesting discussion. When I got new string sails a few years ago, I opted for a 145 and a 110 genoa. I raced for several years with small crew (3-4) with the 145 and only put on the 110 in the Fall when it was predicted to blow hard all day. Last year, I raced solo all season due to Covid and so got re-rated for the 110 (PHRF 121 went to 133). I was definitely not as fast, but it was sooooo much easier to handle the boat and so much more fun. I have raced solo with the 145 and it was a killer. I remember once on a 10-15 day just not being able to get the genoa winched in the whole way by the last beat (I was ready to add electric winches!). With the 110, I did some long all day races solo with 25 knot winds and had a blast. On light days, it took even more concentration than normal to keep the boat going with the 110, but I did not feel slow, given the rating boost. IMHO, light air is about technique more than sail area. I thought I would get hurt more downwind than upwind by the small genoa (non-spinnaker racing) but that did not seem to be the case. I did not finish as well overall as previous years, but I think that was as much due to being solo as it was to the smaller sail. In heavier air, unless you have 6 bodies on the rail (which I never have), I don’t think the larger sail really has benefits. You are just overpowered all the time. So presuming you get the PHRF benefit of a smaller sail, I would not hesitate to err on the smaller side. Isn’t that what PHRF is supposed to do- equalize your competitiveness given your setup? Dave S/V Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT
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