Joe, I had a symetrical and an asymetrical on my Mac 25. I mostly used the asymetrical simply because it was easier to set up solo. I used a sock with both. It made it much easier to retrieve the sails alone. I really ony used the sym spinnaker in the bay for short practice runs. The Asym came in handy on the long sail back from Catalina where I was on a broad reach most of the time.
Eventually I will get a pole for the symetrical sail. In fact I am head back to Apple Valley to pick up the rest of the rigging for the Luger mast. With all of the C-27's he's taken apart I'm sure he has a pole or two.
Yeah, I used my racing spin without a pole once or twice and it was a disaster because it was so full, plus with both leech/luffs the same length it was hard to keep it out of the water unless you sheeted it all the way back, then it still didn't perform well. I bought an asymetric sail soon after... it came with a dousing sock, purchased from CruisingDirect, now North Direct. I works a lot better of course, because it's being used correctly.
I hope you get a pole, because it'll be so much more fun with your new sail. I would be willing to come over (I'm in Riverside) and crew with you. I never use my pole without at least one other crewmember knowing how to work it. I recommend practicing at the dock, then flat water, before going out in the ocean... It's a blast to sail with the big chute, but it takes at least two experienced people.
My comment on the sock is from my single handing experience with my 27 footer. I tried launching and taking down the cruising spinnaker out of my racing spin's turtle and really liked the simplicity..... so I'm going to buy another turtle bag and save the sock for days when inexperieced crew are out.... they can stand at the mast after I get it rigged and operate the device. They think it feels pretty cool to see the sail fill and collapse when the handle the control line....anything to get them excited about sailing, you know.