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We have and have only used it a few times. It's not a huge sail and is very easy to use. It does give us a little more speed on downwind legs but I think if we devise some sort of barber hauler system for the jib to allow us to open up the slot between the jib and main, that on beam reaches we will be as fast or faster without it. We just haven't used it enough to really be sure however, and my previous experience with kites have always been using spinnacker poles and big chutes so I probably do not not yet know how to get the most out of this rig.
216 Spinnaker Rules!
I really love my spinnaker. Still have not flown it a bunch so I am still learning...but so far so good. My crew is impressed with the sudden acceleration when a gust hits either downwind or on a beam reach. I have flown it up to 55 degrees or so off the wind when the wind is light to fair...just like the book says. Remember to use rigging tape on everything. My dealer had installed cotter pins instead of cotter rings on the rigging so there were lots of places lurking there to rip the spinnaker. I would recommend replacing all cotter pins with cotter rings just in case the rigging tape comes off. I did install an ATN spinnaker sleeve. Wastes a little time when racing but sure tames the sail and makes it a lot easier if running with an inexperienced crew. A 20' sleeve is about right. I purchased a 22' sleeve and it is too long.
I really love my spinnaker. Still have not flown it a bunch so I am still learning...but so far so good. My crew is impressed with the sudden acceleration when a gust hits either downwind or on a beam reach. I have flown it up to 55 degrees or so off the wind when the wind is light to fair...just like the book says. Remember to use rigging tape on everything. My dealer had installed cotter pins instead of cotter rings on the rigging so there were lots of places lurking there to rip the spinnaker. I would recommend replacing all cotter pins with cotter rings just in case the rigging tape comes off. I did install an ATN spinnaker sleeve. Wastes a little time when racing but sure tames the sail and makes it a lot easier if running with an inexperienced crew. A 20' sleeve is about right. I purchased a 22' sleeve and it is too long.
Spinnaker Kit Easy to Install
My dealer installed mine (incorrectly I might add). I got the installation instructions and it is really simple to install...plus your dealer won't mess it up! In addition to the kit, you'll need: 1. A tube of Sikaflex (available at West Marine and probably a bunch of other places)to bed the various parts. 2. Extra small fairleads (The bowsprit extension line and the spinnaker tack line run across the foredeck and up and over the cuddy. The lines will groove the cuddy where they rub if you do not install additional fairleads. I added an extra four fairleads if I recall correctly.) 3. I also added a couple snap shackles and whatever to make setup easier. 4. The sheets have a tendency to hang up on the jib when jibing. I forget what knots I used (I can look it up if you care) but look up "knots to connect two lines (bends)". Fortunately you don't have to worry about breaking the sheets where it is knotted so you can use any knot that will present the least bumps and places where the knot(s) will pass over the jib. I also taped the knots.
My dealer installed mine (incorrectly I might add). I got the installation instructions and it is really simple to install...plus your dealer won't mess it up! In addition to the kit, you'll need: 1. A tube of Sikaflex (available at West Marine and probably a bunch of other places)to bed the various parts. 2. Extra small fairleads (The bowsprit extension line and the spinnaker tack line run across the foredeck and up and over the cuddy. The lines will groove the cuddy where they rub if you do not install additional fairleads. I added an extra four fairleads if I recall correctly.) 3. I also added a couple snap shackles and whatever to make setup easier. 4. The sheets have a tendency to hang up on the jib when jibing. I forget what knots I used (I can look it up if you care) but look up "knots to connect two lines (bends)". Fortunately you don't have to worry about breaking the sheets where it is knotted so you can use any knot that will present the least bumps and places where the knot(s) will pass over the jib. I also taped the knots.
R
Ranger Paul
Fisherman's Knot for Spinnaker Sheets
I found the knot I used for my Spinnaker sheets. It was a fisherman's knot which is basically two back to back overhand knots. I slipped the tack ring in between the two knots. Pretty smooth after taping. I was going to splice my two sheets together and use an Alpine Butterfly which might be slightly smoother than the fisherman's knot.
I found the knot I used for my Spinnaker sheets. It was a fisherman's knot which is basically two back to back overhand knots. I slipped the tack ring in between the two knots. Pretty smooth after taping. I was going to splice my two sheets together and use an Alpine Butterfly which might be slightly smoother than the fisherman's knot.
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