I am looking at asymmetrical spinnakers for a 1994 35.5 hunter legend....I had one on a cape dory 22 and the sock was a hassle(could have been operator error)...It wasn't consistent seem to jam and overall was a pita.....I took it off of the sail and never used it again...Granted the 22footer is a much smaller sail but what are your experiences and thoughts on using an asymmetrical spinnaker with or without a sock...thanks...
Is a Dousing Sock Necessary?
- Thread starter shavdog
- Start date
The boat I race on has no sock, we launch it from it's bag on the bow pulpit and as long as there are two crew to get it down into the cabin in some sort of organized chaos in case it needs to be launched again it's no problem what so ever. On my nearly 1200 sf Asym chute with Otto helming, I need a sock.
I have one on my asym on the First 310. it is handy when it's just me and my wife flying it. But, I'd rather not have it and would not have it if I was full race mode with sufficient crew. Having it takes longer to set the sail and douse it than it would without it, given sufficient crew.
Didn't have a sock on my CT-37 (1346sf) and it was a PITA for just the 2 of us . New boat has a sock but haven't had a chance to fly it yet but I think it will be much easier short handed.
I did not see mention of cost only advice on the benefits, but yes top down is a great feature but at a cost.
I suggest try it with no sock, then buy a sock later if you feel you need it. I plan on doing that on my 37.5, once my house and cars stop consuming my spinnaker dollars (latest: new clutch on an Acura TL, just over one spinnaker).
We had an asymmetric on a 1990 30-g with no sock. Never a problem. To douse In any wind, I'd blow the tack line, grab the sheet and pull it down the companionway, then stuff it in the launching bag, and running the tapes later.
Paul
We had an asymmetric on a 1990 30-g with no sock. Never a problem. To douse In any wind, I'd blow the tack line, grab the sheet and pull it down the companionway, then stuff it in the launching bag, and running the tapes later.
Paul
That sounds like a good way to douse it. Will have to try that approach. I have a love/hate relationship with my sock!
I was going to say that it gets loud after you release the tack line. It can't be good for the sail, but it may not be that bad for it. This mirrors how we've pulled down symmetrical spinnakers on most race boats I've crewed on.
Another thing to coincider is that you may be pulling the chute in over the released spin halyard, so you have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't tangle in the sail. And, of course, the halyard has to be flaked properly to make sure it runs free.
I had a sock years ago on a 1983 C&C 29. During one long run the sock somehow got caught at the masthead. It took me half an hour to get the sail down in a building wind. I took the sock off and never used it again. I think that if you don't use a sock, most problems with the sail will be manageable at deck level.
I am intrigued by spinnaker furlers, but I'll wait to see if I can live without one.
Paul
I'd not try cruising with an asym with out a sock. Tried it numerous times without and it just is not worth the effort. With a sock it is pretty brainless. Also allows dousing in short order if needed, like if the wind pipes up during that summer thunderstorm.