[AlbinVega] Spinnaker

vegatern · May 14, 2008

I have some interest in trying the spinnaker, (though perhaps
more interest than guts). I have sorted out the lines and so on but
at least one question remains. The ring which the spinnaker pole
attaches to is adjustable on a track on the forward face of the mast.
How do I decide where to position the ring for the first hoist?
How critical is the position of the ring? Once the spinnaker is up,
what would be an indication that I should change the ring's position?
Thanks for any suggestions. Craig Tern #1519

btfag0s · May 14, 2008

The position is not critical, but for optimum performance the pole should be
horizontal (OK, at right angles to the mast). The spinnaker uphaul and
downhaul attach to the rings in the middle of the pole, so that when you
gybe you can release both ends and slide the pole to the other side under
control. The end that was attached to the mast is now attached to the
opposite corner of the sail, and the end that was attached to the sail is
attached to the mast.

Alisdair

wxt8981 · May 15, 2008

I love to fly the spinnaker- single handed. About your question: the spinnaker pole should be about horizontal and with a few trial runs you'll get it. I find the biggest challenge in taking the spinnaker down without dunking it into the water. The 'up' is easy- unless you have a knot in the sail, but down- remember you have only two hands- make sure you use gloves- it safes you from getting blisters when the halyard rund a little bit too fast...
Wilhelm, V-257

vegatern vegatern@... wrote: I have some interest in trying the spinnaker, (though perhaps
more interest than guts). I have sorted out the lines and so on but
at least one question remains. The ring which the spinnaker pole
attaches to is adjustable on a track on the forward face of the mast.
How do I decide where to position the ring for the first hoist?
How critical is the position of the ring? Once the spinnaker is up,
what would be an indication that I should change the ring's position?
Thanks for any suggestions. Craig Tern #1519

btfag0s · May 15, 2008

Wouldn't you be better off using a snuffer?

Alisdair

wxt8981 · May 15, 2008

Alisdair Gurney yahoo@... wrote:
Wouldn't you be better off using a snuffer?

Alisdair

I sure would be, but my grandpa told me it's a lot better to use a whichmacallit.
Wilhelm, V-257

btfag0s · May 15, 2008

Seriously: spinnaker snuffer - Google Search

wxt8981 · May 16, 2008

Hi.:
I only jokingly wrote that- so sorry. But sailing single handed I found out that when using fewer gadgets and whatever , fewer things fall over board or get mengled up somewhere. Getting the spinnaker up is easy (unless a knot is in it), but getting it down is another story, especially when the wind has picked up. I only have two hands, but I should use three! One on the halyard, and the other two to get the spinnaker down. In all my years of sailng I only once I got the spinnaker under the hull- it's a mess! (maybe then I should have used the "snuffer")
Happy sailing; Wilhelm, V-257

Alisdair Gurney yahoo@... wrote:
Seriously: spinnaker snuffer - Google Search

vegatern · Jul 10, 2008

When dropping the spinnaker singlehanded . . . I pulled the pole
up close to the forestay and cleated the foreguy, eased the afterguy
way off and hauled in the sheet . . . blew the halyard and hauled the
sheet and sail down the side deck to the companionway. It made
sense when I thought it through but I made a mess of it this evening.
Is there a better way or am I missing something? Craig Tern 1519

wxt8981 · Jul 11, 2008

Hi:
I love to fly the spinnaker, and I sail single handed. To get the spinnaker up is easy (unless you got a knot in it and you hope nobody's looking)
To take the spinnaker down, I first release the sheet from the outer end (keep the pole at the mast)
Then I grab the sheet on the lee-side, loosen the halyard, and as I let the halyard down, I pull in the sheet. It's a good idea to wear gloves). With good luck you get to the spinnaker, pull it in while the top comes down.
This all works great in light air. In heavier air, you find out it was a good idea to have gloves! It's the spinnaker halyard slipping through hour hand that can get you rope burn.
Once the spinnaker is on deck, I stuff it down the hatch, take care of the pole (it can't get anywhere since it's still atached to the mast and by both the up-lift and down-
lift)
I secure the pole on deck- take care of the halyard, the sheets, and the up-down-lifts. Never forget the sheets because sheets have the tendency ro get into the prop! Keep everything at it's proper place, and you're looking foreward to fly the spinnaker again (but don't forget to stuff it correctly into the bag)
Wilhelm

vegatern · Jul 11, 2008

Thanks Wilhelm. I guess I just need to praktice, pracktce, practice.
Craig

pjacobs55 · Jul 15, 2008

It helps a lot to set and douse the spinnaker when the boat is well off the wind, almost on a run. When hoisting keep the chute in the lee of the main (right close to the sail, a few inches from the sail) until it is "made" (all the way up). Pull down on the leaches or keep an arm around the sail so it raises under a little tension, so the sail doesn't have a chance to get wind before it is up.

Then trim the sheet a little so most of the slack is out and then haul in the guy until the spinnaker tack (pole corner) is at the pole, and the chute will fill. Then pull the pole back so it is 90 deg. to the wind or a little less. Ease the sheet until the luff begins to curl or break. The luff of the chute should break at the shoulder of the sail. If it breaks too high the pole is too high. Generally on a run the pole is higher, lower on a reach. If you keep the pole a bit forward and overtrim the sheet just a bit the chute is less finicky. Broad reaching or running in strong winds it is important to overtrim this way: keep the sail locked over the boat.

But do set and douse on a broad reach. Get the boat on that course and if your helmsman is novice emphasize he or she is to steer the course: don't jibe and don't let the boat up!

Everything with a chute is trickier when close reaching and dousing on a reach in wind is not easy at all and you may let the sail get away from you into the water. Once you have experience you will be able to set the chute and sail on a broad reach in 20 kts without difficulty, very nice.

We usually douse down the fwd hatch.

Jibing is for another email, just don't try it in a breeze without a good helmsman and a good foredeck hand.

When practicing the spinnaker many novices make the mistake of doing it in too light airs. It is much easier to see your mistakes and see when things are correct in 10 kts or 15.
Nicholas Walsh
Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial Street
Portland Maine 04101
Tel. 207/772-2191
fax 207/774-3940

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From: vegatern
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 11:27 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: SpinnakerThanks Wilhelm. I guess I just need to praktice, pracktce, practice.
Craig

wxt8981 · Jul 15, 2008

HI.:
I sail almost 100% singlehanded. Reading your way of handeling the spinnaker, I must say I do it different.
I like to douse the spinnaker on an almost close reach. The spinnaker pole (with the sheet) is still up when I douse the sail.
Hoisting the spinnaker I prefer on a broad reach.
When jibing the spinnaker I bring in the pole, switch the sheets, and get the pole out again (On the opposite side of the boom)
For steering I trust my auto pilot.
Wilhelm, V-257