From Jibs to Spinnakers: Catamaran Sails Made Simple
When it comes to catamaran sails, it’s easy feel overwhelmed by the choices.
Jibs, Code 0s, 65s, 55s, Code 3s, gennakers, asymmetrical and symmetrical spinnakers — each promises performance, but what do they actually do? And more importantly, which is right for your boat and sailing style?
In this guide, we’ll walk through the different types of catamaran sails, what conditions they’re designed for, and the pros and cons of each. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how to match the right sail to the right situation.
👉 Prefer video? Watch the full breakdown above
The Mainsail – Your Catamaran’s Work Horse
The mainsail is the backbone of any sail plan. Without it, your catamaran isn’t going anywhere.
- High Roach Mainsail – Adds extra sail area up top for more power in light wind. More forgiving than a square top in stronger gusts.
- Square-Top Mainsail – Maximizes surface area with a flat head, ideal for sailors chasing performance.
Reef in good time with these sails, as there is more force at the top of the mast.
High Roach mainsail and asymmetrical spinnaker on a Vision 444
Reefing and Furling Systems
- Slab Reefing – Traditional, simple, and reliable. They come with various reefing systems, the most popular being single-line reefing from the helm.
- In-Mast Furling – Very convenient but sacrifices some sail shape. a more complex system.
- In-Boom Furling – A hybrid solution that offers better performance with easier handling. But expensive.
Tip: Choose the right mainsail system to balance convenience with performance, depending on whether you’re focused on cruising comfort or speed.
A traditional slab-reefing system where you hook onto reefing cringles (eyelets) at the mast will give you a better sail shape but it’s less convenient (and arguably less safe) to put in than a single-line reefing system which pulls down the luff and the leech of the sail..
The Self-Tacking Jib – Simple and Reliable
Many modern catamarans are fitted with a self-tacking jib, and for good reason.
Advantages:
- Easy to handle, especially short-handed.
- Makes tacking effortless — the sail slides across automatically.
- Keeps the cockpit uncluttered with just one sheet to manage.
Disadvantages:
- Smaller than a genoa, so you lose power in lighter breezes.
- Off the wind, you’ll often need extra sails like a Code 0 or gennaker for performance.
Sailing Tip: Back the jib during tacks in light air by locking the block. This helps swing the bow around. And don’t oversheet — a self-tacking jib needs a bit of “breathing room” to keep boat speed up.
The Overlapping Genoa – Power in Light Winds
When you need more horsepower, the overlapping genoa is your friend. Unlike the self-tacker, it extends beyond the mast, creating more drive.
- Sizes vary: 110%, 120%, even 150%.
- Ideal in light wind, where extra sail area makes a big difference.
- Seen on the Excess 13 and performance-oriented cats like the Max Cruise Marine 48.
The downside is more trimming effort (2 sheets), but if you want speed in lighter conditions, a genoa delivers. It’s easier to back the headsail though which is handy for tacking in light airs and if you want to heave-to.
The Code 0 – A Cruising Favourite
The Code 0 sail has become the go-to for many catamaran cruisers. It’s a hybrid between a genoa and a spinnaker:
- Flown on a furler for easy use.
- Works well in light to moderate wind at close reaching to beam reaching angles.
- Perfect when your self-tacking jib feels underpowered.
Variants
- North Sails Code 0, Code 55, and Code 65 let you fine-tune to different wind angles. The Code 65’s sweet spot is higher nto the wind, the 55 more so.
- Incidence Code 3 and Code 5 sails can handle stronger breezes (more robust) while keeping your cat balanced.
The Gennaker – Versatile and Fun
On boats like the Windelo 50, the gennaker shines as a middle ground between a Code 0 and a spinnaker. It’s relatively simple to fly and adds plenty of power when reaching- broad reaching — making long passages more enjoyable without the complexity of a full spinnaker.
Spinnakers – Downwind Specialists
Few sails look as good flying as a spinnaker, and they come in several forms:
- Asymmetrical Spinnaker – a powerful sail designed for reaching and broad reaching running with exhilarating speed. Deployed via a sock or snuffer. Tip: you can use your mainsail to create a wind shadow if you are late taking the sail down in building wind conditions.
- Cruising Spinnaker – A forgiving cut, paired with a sock or snuffer for easier handling. Requires a more experience crew, but much easier to handle than a big racing spinnaker.
- Parasailor & Wingaker – Feature built-in wings or vents for stability, making them ideal for ocean crossings and long downwind runs. Operates in a wide range of apparent wind angle.
If you’re looking for the best sail for cruising a catamaran downwind, these are hard to beat.
The Future? – Inflatable Wing Sails
Sailing technology keeps evolving. A new innovation is the inflatable wing sail, like those used on the MODX 70. These sails combine the aerodynamic efficiency of rigid wings with the convenience of fabric. They’re still experimental but may become more popular in the years to come. Who knows? You might need a bigger paddleboard pump onboard.
Conclusion – Match your Sails to the Conditions
From the dependable mainsail to futuristic wing designs, each sail has a purpose:
- Cruising sailors benefit from simplicity with self-tacking jibs and cruising spinnakers.
- Sailors looking for more performance may prefer square-top mains, overlapping genoas, and Code sails.
- Early adopters will be excited by inflatable wings and high-tech options.
Understanding the different types of catamaran sails helps you sail smarter, safer, and faster. With the right combination, you’ll build confidence — and get the most out of your boat.
👉 Watch the full breakdown here: Catamaran Sails Made Simple (Video Guide)