CONRAD 25 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

Designed by Petterson and built by Teliga, the CONRAD 25 is a versatile 7.65m yacht engineered for competitive club racing and spirited coastal cruising. Its balanced hull and efficient rig make it an accessible yet rewarding platform for performance-oriented sailors.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 2.79 indicates a high-aspect ratio rig, prioritizing upwind efficiency and aerodynamic lift.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 3.27 is optimized for powerful, overlapping genoas to drive the hull in light to moderate air.
• Sail Area: 26m² total upwind area provides a healthy power-to-displacement ratio for a 25-foot hull.
• Performance: The sail plan is oriented toward agility and responsiveness, favoring active trim and tactical racing.

Popular Sail Configurations

• Mainsail: Standard configurations typically feature a full-battened or partial-battened setup to maintain the high-aspect profile.
• Headsail: Most owners utilize a range of headsails, from 135% overlapping genoas for light-air performance to high-clew working jibs for heavier conditions.

Key Characteristics

• Efficient upwind pointing performance due to the 2.79 P/E high-aspect mainsail geometry.
• Significant headsail driving force generated by the 3.27 I/J foretriangle ratio.
• Stable platform for its size thanks to a generous 2.76m beam relative to its LOA.
• Nimble handling characteristics ideal for short-handed coastal sailing or tight-course racing.

Sailing Considerations

• Recommend reefing the mainsail at approximately 16-18 knots to maintain flat sailing angles.
• Typical crew requirements are 3-4 for competitive racing or 2 for relaxed cruising.
• Expect high responsiveness to traveler and backstay adjustments given the tall rig proportions.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the CONRAD 25, we recommend SurgeX membrane sails as the optimal choice for most sailors. SurgeX uses continuous fiber construction where fibers are laid along load paths and embedded in a thin membrane, providing superior shape retention compared to traditional Dacron while being more affordable than premium laminates. The continuous fiber structure means less stretch over time, maintaining the designed sail shape for years.

For racing applications, specify a lightweight SurgeX configuration with minimal base weight to maximize performance and acceleration. For cruising or coastal sailing, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection against the rig. Based on the 2.79 P/E ratio, a tri-radial fiber layout works best to handle the vertical loads of the high-aspect mainsail. A typical inventory includes a SurgeX mainsail, a 130% Genoa, and a heavy-weather #3 Jib. With 26m² of total sail area, plan to reef the mainsail around 16 knots to keep the boat balanced.

Conclusion

The CONRAD 25 features a sophisticated high-aspect rig that rewards precise sail trim and modern materials. Explore SurgeX membrane sail options to maximize the performance potential of your CONRAD 25.