{"id":1692044,"date":"2026-11-02T12:41:51","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T11:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/?p=1692044"},"modified":"2026-11-02T12:41:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T11:41:51","slug":"genoa-sail-difference-jib","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/segelmagazin\/genua-segel-unterschied-fock\/","title":{"rendered":"Genoa sail: difference from the jib, sizes in percent, reefing and trim"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The genoa is a large headsail that extends aft beyond the mast and partly overlaps the mainsail. A jib, by contrast, ends in front of the mast. The genoa gives more sail area, but demands more work on the sheet and sheet lead.<\/p>\n<h2>The essentials at a glance<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>A genoa gives more area in light wind, while a jib or self-tacking jib is easier with a small crew.<\/li>\n<li>Size is given as a percentage: the width of the sail (LP) divided by the distance from forestay to mast (J). A genoa 1 is around 150%, a genoa 2 around 130%, a genoa 3 around 100 to 110%, and a jib 85 to 90%.<\/li>\n<li>A furling genoa becomes fuller as it is rolled in. Foam padding in the luff keeps the profile flatter, and the sheet lead has to move forward when reefing.<\/li>\n<li>The sheet lead is in the right place when, as you luff up, the windward telltales at the top and bottom react almost simultaneously, with the upper ones at most just slightly first.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What is a genoa?<\/h2>\n<p>A genoa is an overlapping headsail: it is set on the forestay, and its clew extends aft beyond the mast. This gives it more area than a jib on the same boat and provides more drive, especially in light wind.<\/p>\n<p>The genoa sheet runs outside the shrouds to a sheet lead, a movable deflection block on a track on the side deck, and from there to the winch. On cruising yachts the genoa is now usually mounted on a furling system on the forestay and unrolled to set, rather than being attached with hanks.<\/p>\n<h3>What do 135% or 150% mean for a genoa?<\/h3>\n<p>The percentage describes the overlap, not the sail area directly. It compares two measurements: the LP and the J.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>LP (Luff Perpendicular) is the shortest distance from the clew to the luff, in other words the width of the sail at a right angle to the luff. This is also how the measurement is defined in the international equipment rules of the world sailing governing body.<\/li>\n<li>J is the distance from the base of the forestay to the front edge of the mast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An example: with J = 3.0 m and LP = 4.5 m, 4.5 divided by 3.0 gives 150%. This genoa therefore extends beyond the mast by half of the J measurement. A sail of 100% reaches exactly to the mast.<\/p>\n<p>The area also depends on the luff length: roughly luff times LP divided by two.<\/p>\n<h2>Genoa or jib: what's the difference?<\/h2>\n<p>The difference lies in the overlap: the genoa extends beyond the mast, the jib does not. This results in different strengths in terms of area, sheet routing and handling.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1692006\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/winsch-vorschot-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Winch with headsail sheet aboard a sailing yacht\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/winsch-vorschot-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/winsch-vorschot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/winsch-vorschot-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/winsch-vorschot-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/winsch-vorschot-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/winsch-vorschot.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Feature<\/th>\n<th>Genua<\/th>\n<th>Fock<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Schothorn<\/td>\n<td>behind the mast<\/td>\n<td>in front of the mast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Size (LP to J)<\/td>\n<td>over 100%, typically up to around 150%<\/td>\n<td>up to 100%, working jib 85 to 90%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sheet routing<\/td>\n<td>outside the shrouds to the sheet lead on the side deck<\/td>\n<td>inside the shrouds; on a self-tacking jib via a track in front of the mast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>In a tack<\/td>\n<td>Change sheets, pull the sail round the mast and shrouds, trim in again<\/td>\n<td>little work, a self-tacking jib crosses over without anyone handling the sheets<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Strength<\/td>\n<td>more sail area in light winds<\/td>\n<td>easy to handle, even with a small crew<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>What is a self-tacking jib?<\/h3>\n<p>A self-tacking jib is a jib whose sheet runs on a car on a traveller track ahead of the mast. When you tack, the car slides across to the other side by itself, so nobody has to handle the sheets. This only works if the sail does not overlap, because the clew has to be able to move freely back and forth ahead of the mast.<\/p>\n<p>For this reason, some yards supply newer cruising yachts with a self-tacking jib as standard. The price of that convenience is less sail area, which is noticeable above all in light winds and on broad reaches.<\/p>\n<h3>What does this mean for you as crew when tacking?<\/h3>\n<p>If you sail as crew on a yacht with a genoa, you have a job to do on every tack: throw off the old sheet, bring the new sheet through quickly while the sail is under little load, then trim it in on the winch. The bigger the overlap, the more sheet there is to handle. You will find the commands for this in the article <a href=\"\/en\/sailing-magazine\/tacking-gybing-commands\/\">Tacking, gybing and the tacking call<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Genoa 1, 2, 3: Which size suits which wind?<\/h2>\n<p>The more wind there is, the smaller the genoa: genoa 1 is for light winds, genoa 3 for fresh winds.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Genoa 1: around 150%<\/li>\n<li>Genoa 2: around 130%<\/li>\n<li>Genoa 3: around 100 to 110%, usually with full luff length<\/li>\n<li>Working jib: 85 to 90%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The numbers are not a standard, just common designations. On older boats with a short rig, a genoa 1 can be well over 150%; the figure always depends on the boat. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boot.com\/en\/Media_News\/Topic_Sailing\/Guidebook\/The_headsail\">Worked examples of headsail size (in English)<\/a> you will find at boot D\u00fcsseldorf.<\/p>\n<p>Racing crews change the genoa to suit the wind. On a cruising yacht with a furling system, there is usually only one headsail hoisted, and it has to cover all conditions. For cruising sails designed for furling systems, an LP of around 135% is a common size. If you sail in a windy area, it is better to go slightly smaller; if you mostly have light winds, slightly larger.<\/p>\n<p>The overview shows how the other sails on board work together <a href=\"\/en\/sailing-magazine\/sails-sailing-boat-overview\/\">the different sails on a sailing boat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>How do you reef a furling genoa correctly?<\/h2>\n<p>You reef a furling genoa by pulling the furling line while easing the sheet under light tension until the desired area is rolled up. Then you move the sheet lead further forward.<\/p>\n<h3>Why does the genoa become fuller when reefed?<\/h3>\n<p>The furling foil turns evenly along its entire length. However, there is more cloth in the area where the sail has the most draft, and this is not taken up to the same degree as the sail is rolled. At the same time, the tension in the luff eases. The cloth that is still out therefore becomes fuller in the forward section, even though you need a flat sail in stronger winds.<\/p>\n<p>Sailmakers therefore often sew a foam pad or two tapered lines into the luff of furling genoas. The pad is thickest where the sail has the most draft, usually in the lower third. The roll becomes thicker at this point, takes up more cloth, and the reefed sail stays flatter. On racing boats this is usually omitted, because the pad disturbs the airflow along the luff. For cruising yachts and large genoas that are often sailed reefed, it makes sense.<\/p>\n<p>A heavily rolled large genoa is still a compromise. If you are often out in strong winds, a smaller headsail set reefed performs better than a 150% genoa that is half rolled up.<\/p>\n<h3>Where should the sheet lead go when reefing?<\/h3>\n<p>As you roll the sail up, the clew moves up and forward. If the sheet lead stays where it is, the sheet pulls too flatly aft: the foot is stretched and the sail opens too far at the top. Move the sheet lead forward until the sheet pulls on the clew at roughly the same angle as before. With a low-cut clew, the distance is greater.<\/p>\n<h3>What should you look out for on the furling gear?<\/h3>\n<p>Furl evenly and firmly: keep the sheet under light tension with a turn around the winch. When the largest genoa is fully furled, a few turns of furling line should still be left on the drum, for example three to five on Furlex systems. In strong winds the sail furls more tightly and needs more line.<\/p>\n<h2>Trimming the genoa: where does the lead position belong?<\/h2>\n<p>As a starting point, set the lead position so that the imaginary extension of the sheet beyond the clew meets roughly the middle of the luff. Then fine-tune it using the telltales.<\/p>\n<h3>Lead position forward or aft?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Lead forward: the sheet pulls down harder, the leech closes and the foot becomes fuller. This gives more power in light winds.<\/li>\n<li>Lead aft: the foot becomes flatter and the leech opens at the top (more twist). This takes pressure out of the sail as the wind increases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Mark good positions on the genoa track.<\/p>\n<h3>How do you read the telltales on the luff?<\/h3>\n<p>Telltales are fitted on both sides of the genoa luff at several heights. When sailing close-hauled, they show you whether the sheet and lead position are right.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Both telltales stream smoothly aft: the sheet is set correctly.<\/li>\n<li>The windward telltale lifts: you are pointing too high or the sheet is eased too far. Bear away or sheet in a little.<\/li>\n<li>The leeward telltale droops or spins: the sheet is too tight or you are sailing too low. Luff up or ease the sheet slightly.<\/li>\n<li>The upper windward telltale lifts clearly earlier than the lower one: the lead is too far aft, so move it forward a little.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ideally, when you luff up, the upper windward telltale lifts just before the lower one. If in doubt, it is better to have the lead slightly too far aft. In strong winds, the upper part of the genoa may collapse first.<\/p>\n<h3>What role does the halyard play?<\/h3>\n<p>More halyard tension pulls the draught forward, which the genoa needs as the wind increases. In light winds, a few small wrinkles along the luff are fine.<\/p>\n<h2>How do you look after a furling genoa?<\/h2>\n<p>The most important care is UV protection: a furling genoa often stays furled on the forestay for weeks, and sunlight breaks down the cloth. A UV protection strip along the leech and foot covers the furled sail.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Furl the sail so that the protection strip is on the outside and no unprotected cloth is visible.<\/li>\n<li>Wrap the sheets two or three times around the furled sail so that the wind cannot pull it open again.<\/li>\n<li>Depending on the sailing area and how long the boat is moored, a UV protection strip lasts roughly five to ten years. The first signs that it needs replacing are faded material and seams coming loose.<\/li>\n<li>If the boat is not used for a longer period, take the genoa down and store it dry, or pull a sail sleeve over the furled sail.<\/li>\n<li>Rinse the furling gear with fresh water and lubricate it according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually once a year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cruising genoas are usually made of polyester cloth (Dacron). Over the years the cloth stretches and the draught moves aft. More halyard tension compensates for this for a while.<\/p>\n<h2>Practising genoa handling in the real world<\/h2>\n<p>You learn lead position, sheet and furling reef fastest out on the water, when someone explains what the telltales are showing at that moment. On T\u00f6rnfinder you will find <a href=\"\/en\/skipper-training\/\">Skipper training<\/a>where sail trim and manoeuvres are on the programme. If you would rather come along on a longer sailing trip and work the genoa sheet yourself, you will find suitable offers under <a href=\"\/en\/sailing-trips\/\">all trips<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the difference between a genoa and a jib?<\/h3>\n<p>A genoa overlaps the mast, with its clew lying abaft the mast. A jib ends forward of the mast. This gives the genoa more area, while the jib is easier to handle.<\/p>\n<h3>What is a furling genoa?<\/h3>\n<p>A furling genoa is a genoa on a roller-furling system at the forestay. It is unrolled to set it and rolled in to reef or stow it, instead of being hanked on and hoisted.<\/p>\n<h3>What does genoa 135% mean?<\/h3>\n<p>The width of the sail at right angles to the luff (LP) is 1.35 times the distance from the forestay to the mast (J). The sail therefore extends a good third of the J measurement beyond the mast.<\/p>\n<h3>Where does the sheet lead go when I reef the genoa?<\/h3>\n<p>Forward. As you furl the sail, the clew moves up and forward, and the sheet lead has to follow so that the top of the sail does not open too far.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What distinguishes a genoa from a jib, what figures such as 135% mean, how to reef a furling genoa and where the sheeting point belongs when trimming.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":1692003,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tf_mag_toernhinweis":"skippertraining","footnotes":""},"categories":[541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1692044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-boote-technik","category-541","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1692044"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1692046,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1692044\/revisions\/1692046"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1692003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1692044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1692044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1692044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}