Maximizing a Catamaran's Ability to Sail Close to the Wind

traphappy wrote: You could sell both sails and have enough money to buy a jib. But then you’d need to buy a new main. But you would not feel guilty about it because you can’t sail with only a jib...

Ah, interesting approach, always good to find a way to feel good about spending $ on sailing.

MN3 wrote: - a new jib creates less disruptive air to the main vs an old jib that will cause disruption to the main ... so even if the main is new, it has already had it's air flow effected

+1

Arvel Gentry (among others) estimated that 80% of a sail's power comes from the leeward side, just like an airplane's wing. Having a jib that creates a proper slot to pass wind back to the leeward side of the main is all good.