Is an "Asymetrical" spinnaker a good option for double handed races? Is a traditional spinnaker difficult to handle for two? I already own the asymetric but do not own the traditional spinnaker. Should I save my money and just fly the asymetrical? Thanks
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Get a spinnaker pole ....
The asymmetric will not allow dead downwind sailing (usually not a good idea in most cases) .... but sometimes you 'have-to'. In this case you can fly the asymmetric tacked to the end of a spinnaker pole and fly it in the SAME manner as a symmetrical. The asymmetric being high cut at the clew when tacked to a pole wont fly as well as a symmetric .... but better than being blanketed by the mainsai. Usually 'tacking downwind' on broad reaches is the fastest despite the extra distance travelled ..... unless you get 'pinned' to dead downwind, cant gybe ..... and just sit there with a blanketed spinn. Your 'polars' will show what offset from TRUE wind conditions will get to faster downwind. Sometimes and in 'flat' conditions and depending on the 'cut' of the asymmetrical you can fly it wing-and-wing with the mainboom on the lee (and with a preventer) .... and sometimes to good effect. Whats really nice with an asymmetrical (depending of the configuration of the foretriangle and halyard to mast attachment) is that sometimes you can set to to gybe "through the foretrangle" instead of in front of the forestay. So, my suggestions would be to fly the A-kite, and first get a good pole to fly it from for those times that you are 'pinned' into a DDW course.
The asymmetric will not allow dead downwind sailing (usually not a good idea in most cases) .... but sometimes you 'have-to'. In this case you can fly the asymmetric tacked to the end of a spinnaker pole and fly it in the SAME manner as a symmetrical. The asymmetric being high cut at the clew when tacked to a pole wont fly as well as a symmetric .... but better than being blanketed by the mainsai. Usually 'tacking downwind' on broad reaches is the fastest despite the extra distance travelled ..... unless you get 'pinned' to dead downwind, cant gybe ..... and just sit there with a blanketed spinn. Your 'polars' will show what offset from TRUE wind conditions will get to faster downwind. Sometimes and in 'flat' conditions and depending on the 'cut' of the asymmetrical you can fly it wing-and-wing with the mainboom on the lee (and with a preventer) .... and sometimes to good effect. Whats really nice with an asymmetrical (depending of the configuration of the foretriangle and halyard to mast attachment) is that sometimes you can set to to gybe "through the foretrangle" instead of in front of the forestay. So, my suggestions would be to fly the A-kite, and first get a good pole to fly it from for those times that you are 'pinned' into a DDW course.
Asymetrical, Geona and Mail
Hope this not a dumb question. Can you sail with a genoa an asymetric and the main at the same time? I am assuming that the use of a wisker pole would be used on the genoa or asymetric. First, can this be done? Second, is it legal with regards to the rules. Third, is this a dumb question? My thinking is that you would want to put as much sail as possible for a DDW condition. Thanks
Hope this not a dumb question. Can you sail with a genoa an asymetric and the main at the same time? I am assuming that the use of a wisker pole would be used on the genoa or asymetric. First, can this be done? Second, is it legal with regards to the rules. Third, is this a dumb question? My thinking is that you would want to put as much sail as possible for a DDW condition. Thanks
Robert, Yes, No, and No...
Robert, Yes, you can sail with a main, genoa, and a spinnaker at the same time. No, you cannot use a whisker pole on the genoa when a spinnaker is flying (RRS 50.2 & 50.3 (c). No, it is not a dumb question. BTW, the complete RRS 2005-2008 can be downloaded from the www.sailing.org website. They don't have the USSailing prescritions, but they are the complete RRS. Every boat should have a copy on board when they race. And I fly an ASM in single and doublehanded races. Much easier, and I believe safer. You don't need as experienced crew, and their esier to set, douse, and fly. Single and doublehanded races that I have been involved with are probably the best run and safest races. Also, the winning is in the finishing in the singles/doubles! Good luck, and ASK QUESTIONS! Steve
Robert, Yes, you can sail with a main, genoa, and a spinnaker at the same time. No, you cannot use a whisker pole on the genoa when a spinnaker is flying (RRS 50.2 & 50.3 (c). No, it is not a dumb question. BTW, the complete RRS 2005-2008 can be downloaded from the www.sailing.org website. They don't have the USSailing prescritions, but they are the complete RRS. Every boat should have a copy on board when they race. And I fly an ASM in single and doublehanded races. Much easier, and I believe safer. You don't need as experienced crew, and their esier to set, douse, and fly. Single and doublehanded races that I have been involved with are probably the best run and safest races. Also, the winning is in the finishing in the singles/doubles! Good luck, and ASK QUESTIONS! Steve
Singlehanded racing...for Steve
How large/small a boat are you racing single-handed? I've raced my H23 singlehanded (non-spinnaker) and do OK on the upwind legs but downwind is tough. Halyards and outhaul are at the mast but vang and cunningham are led back to cockpit. I also use a tiller extension. Any other suggestions? Peter H23 "Raven"
How large/small a boat are you racing single-handed? I've raced my H23 singlehanded (non-spinnaker) and do OK on the upwind legs but downwind is tough. Halyards and outhaul are at the mast but vang and cunningham are led back to cockpit. I also use a tiller extension. Any other suggestions? Peter H23 "Raven"
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