Can anyone offer some advice regarding a cruising / asymetrical spinakker. I really prefer not to have a pole as I single-hand alot. I am not sure how to calculate size. I am also not sure of the difference between a "Cruising" or "Asymetrical" sail. Thanks for the help. Scott Broad 3 Short Toronto
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Scott
The luff length of your akite should be roughly the luff of your headsail. If it's a little bigger or smaller by less than 10% that's OK too. If you are single handing I might suggest you buy a snuffer aswel. You'll be amazed how easy it is to fly and douse.
The luff length of your akite should be roughly the luff of your headsail. If it's a little bigger or smaller by less than 10% that's OK too. If you are single handing I might suggest you buy a snuffer aswel. You'll be amazed how easy it is to fly and douse.
Should have added
I guess I should have added that I have a 2001 Hunter 380 fractional B&R rig. SB
I guess I should have added that I have a 2001 Hunter 380 fractional B&R rig. SB
Choose a sailmaker
You have a good piece of money tied up in a great boat. I'm sure there are several excellent sail lofts in the Toronto area. Interview the sailmaker at few of them on the telephone, and request quotes for an asymetric on your boat. Then pick a sailmaker you want as your advisor in the coming years. If he is a pro, you will have free advice, and sailing tips, as well as a visit to inspect your current sails if that is needed. All of that service is very high value for our cruising on the Great Lakes. You could find a second hand sail (my sailmaker would certainly advise me if I chose that route) or you could buy at a distance (taking the chance if an adjustment is needed after delivery.) While either of those alternatives will save you a few hundred dollars, you will be missing a fun and most valuable relationship in your sailing life. Oh, yeah - you'll love an asymetric - ours adds 10% to 25% to our time sailing versus the iron genny in light winds. As far as I know, asymetric, and cruising spinnakers are the same thing. I think Doyle calls our sail an APC - "Asymetric Performance Cruising" spinnaker. Do get the sock - it makes the sail easy to handle, even for the Admiral. David Lady Lillie
You have a good piece of money tied up in a great boat. I'm sure there are several excellent sail lofts in the Toronto area. Interview the sailmaker at few of them on the telephone, and request quotes for an asymetric on your boat. Then pick a sailmaker you want as your advisor in the coming years. If he is a pro, you will have free advice, and sailing tips, as well as a visit to inspect your current sails if that is needed. All of that service is very high value for our cruising on the Great Lakes. You could find a second hand sail (my sailmaker would certainly advise me if I chose that route) or you could buy at a distance (taking the chance if an adjustment is needed after delivery.) While either of those alternatives will save you a few hundred dollars, you will be missing a fun and most valuable relationship in your sailing life. Oh, yeah - you'll love an asymetric - ours adds 10% to 25% to our time sailing versus the iron genny in light winds. As far as I know, asymetric, and cruising spinnakers are the same thing. I think Doyle calls our sail an APC - "Asymetric Performance Cruising" spinnaker. Do get the sock - it makes the sail easy to handle, even for the Admiral. David Lady Lillie
Comparison
Symetrical is the traditonal downwide sail. Asym is for slightly off downwind. Asym is safer, easier to deploy, fewer parts. Here's a bowsprit for one...
Symetrical is the traditonal downwide sail. Asym is for slightly off downwind. Asym is safer, easier to deploy, fewer parts. Here's a bowsprit for one...
Another vote for the asym.
Scott, I would definitely go with the asymetrical because it provides more options for its use. Once you get used to it, you'll find it can be flown when the point of sail if fairly high. We've had ours up in 80 or so degrees when the wind was down to about 10 plus or minus apparent. See attached photo when we had our furled headsail out to fill in the slot. One thing when you're doing it on a close reach though, is to be very attentive to the boat's tendency to round up. You can be flirting with a broach if the wind and sea conditions pipe up and cause the boat to role to leeward. They're designed for 100 to around 130 degrees. They are very exciting and the boat will move beyond hull speed in the right conditions. TIP: have your crew become familiar with sheeting and the need to pay attention to how the upper leach just starts to curl. This, coupled with keeping the horizontal seam parallel with the horizon are the keys to trimming. Constant attention to the active sheet will produce optimum results. And NEVER secure the sheet in case you get overpowered and need to spill air quickly. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
Scott, I would definitely go with the asymetrical because it provides more options for its use. Once you get used to it, you'll find it can be flown when the point of sail if fairly high. We've had ours up in 80 or so degrees when the wind was down to about 10 plus or minus apparent. See attached photo when we had our furled headsail out to fill in the slot. One thing when you're doing it on a close reach though, is to be very attentive to the boat's tendency to round up. You can be flirting with a broach if the wind and sea conditions pipe up and cause the boat to role to leeward. They're designed for 100 to around 130 degrees. They are very exciting and the boat will move beyond hull speed in the right conditions. TIP: have your crew become familiar with sheeting and the need to pay attention to how the upper leach just starts to curl. This, coupled with keeping the horizontal seam parallel with the horizon are the keys to trimming. Constant attention to the active sheet will produce optimum results. And NEVER secure the sheet in case you get overpowered and need to spill air quickly. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
web
I enjoyed viewing your web site. Very well done. I am currently getting Outrageous II ready for some cruising. All that is lacking is the courage to do so. John
I enjoyed viewing your web site. Very well done. I am currently getting Outrageous II ready for some cruising. All that is lacking is the courage to do so. John
Check out
Doyle UPS or UK Flasher. I single handle my 38 a lot and decided on the UPS because it comes with its own furler which lets me do it all from the cockpit. Granted, it's not a full spinnaker but it's stressless and really gets me going on light wind days. With the furling drum, it cost approx $1100.
Doyle UPS or UK Flasher. I single handle my 38 a lot and decided on the UPS because it comes with its own furler which lets me do it all from the cockpit. Granted, it's not a full spinnaker but it's stressless and really gets me going on light wind days. With the furling drum, it cost approx $1100.
I use asymetrical
on my 376. Very easy to use. I have a dowsing sock/chute that makes things really easy.
on my 376. Very easy to use. I have a dowsing sock/chute that makes things really easy.
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