Oyster 565 Genoa/Yankee

In sailing, a Genoa and a Yankee are both types of headsails—sails set forward of the mast—but they have some key differences in design and use:

Description

Yankees 

Yankees are high-clewed headsails designed primarily for offshore and traditional cutter-rigged yachts. Often paired with a staysail, they offer excellent balance and performance in a wide range of wind conditions. 

The high clew allows the sail to clear waves and deck spray, making it ideal for passagemaking and heavy weather. This design also improves visibility from the helm and creates a slot effect when used with a staysail, enhancing airflow and drive. 

Yankees are typically sheeted outside the shrouds, allowing for greater sail area and power, especially on a reach. Their durable build and sea-kindly handling make them a trusted choice for traditional bluewater cruisers. 

Genoas 

Genoas are large, overlapping headsails that provide maximum area in light to moderate wind conditions. Sheeted outside the shrouds, with a generous sail area extending aft of the mast, they are ideal for cruising or racing in lighter airs where extra drive is needed.  

Genoas can’t point quite as high as a blade but their increased size also delivers strong performance off the wind and on a reach. They are available in various overlapping percentages to suit different rig types, venues and sailing styles. 

Genoas are highly effective sails providing lots of power, particularly for designs with smaller mainsails or narrow sheeting angles.  

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