Downwind sails
I’m planning to buy a yacht for bluewater cruising in the next two years and I found your article surveying ARC sailors about sail choice very interesting. Having had a 42ft cutter before, I guess I have firm ideas about what works. I usually like to sail downwind with a poled out gennaker or genoa, depending on wind and sea conditions, as I particularly like the twin headsail combination for ease and manoeuvrability.
In either mode, this set-up allowed us to run fairly deep downwind. It is important to remember that most reasonably heavy displacement cruising boats will obtain quickest VMG by sailing deep downwind and not at higher angles. Without a pole, it’s difficult to sail sufficiently deep and the chances of a wrap round the forestay increase.
It is also a good choice for running at night, when conditions might change quickly.
Your survey did present other options used by sailors, and I did appreciate that their are now alternatives I should consider. In particular, I’m thinking of the Bluewater Runner, which is on my list to look at more closely, as well as the Parasailor. Markus Haas