Jib Reaching Sails

When racing non-windward leewards (coastal courses, distance races, navigator’s courses, around government marks), boats need to have sails for reaching legs. The variation of legs means leads to a variety of sails. This video is a clear example of why boats with non-overlapping jibs do not reach well. It shows two 35-footers jib-reaching to the finish line in the same race. The first boat is a Beneteau First 34.7 with an overlapping genoa. You can see the sheet has been eased as the foot of the sail is out over the lifelines. The sail looks like it is trimmed well from the bottom to the top. The second boat is a C&C 110 with a tall, skinny non-overlapping jib. Notice how the top of the jib is completely luffing. This sail could have been trimmed better by using an outboard lead located further forward, but the sail is still not the right sail for reaching.