On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 22:14:35 -0800, in message

Evan Gatehouse2 wrote:

Gordon wrote:
So I'm going to a roller furler jib for cruising. What size would be
best?
120, 135,150, etc!
Gordon

It depends on your cruising area, and the times of year you sail.

I'd say the default answer is a 135 but for Chesapeake Bay or LI Sound
in summer cruising, a 150. For San Francisco Bay, 115 or 120...

For offshore cruising, I'd lean towards 135 but without knowing more
about your boat or plans, nobody can offer much advice

Since the numbers are calculated as LP/J*100, it also depends a lot on
the rig design, ranging from small foretriangle fractional rigs to
older masthead boats with a huge J dimension and a short boom. A 135
is a small sail on the former and a great big sail on the latter. My
boat fits into the latter category and I would probably choose about
110 for cruising comfort and ease of tacking, then hoist a spinnaker
off the wind if it isn't blowing.

Go see your sailmaker for advice based on local conditions, type of
boat, and the kind of sailing you want to do. It's usually free...

Ryk