Flying a Code 0 Spinnaker

Oct 31, 2012
465
Hunter 2008 H25 Lake Wabamun
Does anyone have experience flying a Code 0 on a 25 foot or similar sized Hunter equipped with a B&R rig? Also, how far in front of the jib would be recommend for proper balance. Thank you.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Does anyone have experience flying a Code 0 on a 25 foot or similar sized Hunter equipped with a B&R rig? Also, how far in front of the jib would be recommend for proper balance. Thank you.
Our First 260 does not have a B&R rig like your boat, but like your Hunter is designed to not use overlapping headsails. It's also the exact same length; 7.5 meters.

This non-overlapping rig deal is actually a very modern setup, 95% of all modern raceboats are configured like this. As you have found, the weakness of the setup is light air reaching. To do this effectively you need to add a Code 0 or Code 1 reaching sail. In apparent wind angles up to 45 degrees, it will transform the boat. Your boat even more so, as typical of Hunter B&R rigged boats it is under powered (230 sqr ft sail area).

Here we are in 8 knots of breeze, at hull speed with a apparent wind angle of about 44. It feels like you are sailing straight into the wind... however it is the boat's speed that is pushing the apparent wind so far forward, in actuality the true wind is just forward of the beam.



Its easy to use and fly. As for tack position, its less about ballance, and more about practical issues. I've written more about this sail and its use on my blog.

http://rarerarebird.blogspot.com/2014/01/260-mod-reaching-asyms.html

And some more about general spinnaker selection.

http://rarerarebird.blogspot.com/2014/01/downwind-sail-inventory.html
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
No one else flies a code zero?? I'd love to hear of experiences on other boats.
 
Oct 31, 2012
465
Hunter 2008 H25 Lake Wabamun
Thank you Jackdaw your info is fantastic and very well documented. A couple of questions on the code 0. How far aft of your side stays does the clew extend? In other words how far does the code 0 overlap? And do you drop your jib and replace with the code 0 or do you attach to a bow sprit?
Thanks. Andre
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Thank you Jackdaw your info is fantastic and very well documented. A couple of questions on the code 0. How far aft of your side stays does the clew extend? In other words how far does the code 0 overlap? And do you drop your jib and replace with the code 0 or do you attach to a bow sprit?
Thanks. Andre
The sail measures 160%, so the clew is well aft of the swept spreaders. The sail is tacked to the bow with a 1 foot long strop of dyneema attached to the bow fitting. It's there to help the sail clear the furler. It's actually a bit too long. The tack blows aft when the sail is powered up, like in that picture. A sprit would be nice but not needed for a code sail.

We roll the jib any time we use it.
 
Oct 31, 2012
465
Hunter 2008 H25 Lake Wabamun
Well, Thanks to your advice, I am now flying the Code 0 on my H25. As Jackdaw nicely put it "In apparent wind angles up to 45 degrees, it will transform the boat" This sail is amazing, Thanks again!!:dance:
 

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Well, Thanks to your advice, I am now flying the Code 0 on my H25. As Jackdaw nicely put it "In apparent wind angles up to 45 degrees, it will transform the boat" This sail is amazing, Thanks again!!:dance:
Sweet stuff. Nice job!