Asymmetric Spinnaker handling

Status
Not open for further replies.
Apr 12, 2005
263
Hunter 36 Cobb Island
How tight should you rig the luff of a sppinakker? Should it be looseso it bellows out ahead pof the boat or tightened up. Is this supposed to be adjusted with different points of sail? Is it different with light versus stronger winds?
 
D

David

Depends on point of sail

On a beam reach the luff can be brought in fairly tight to the bow to give the sail some shape. As you go deeper down towards a run, you can let out the line and allow the clew to cross the bow and rise, giving you a fuller, rounder sail. The more luff line you let out, the more attention it requires to keep the sail full, however.
 

Alan

.
Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Asymmetric Spinnaker handling

As your AWA moves further forward, the leading edge of the sail needs to be flatter, more like a genoa. The amount will be determined by the trimmers ability to control the leading edge. Ease the tack to the point where the trimmer can no longer remove the curl. Then bring the tack in and retry. When the curl becomes controllable you have found the correct luff adjustment. As you sail deeper and the leading edge starts to fly to weather of the headstay you should ease the tack line and a couple of feet of halyard. This will make the sail more finicky and require an attentive trimmer, but will gain you a good deal of speed and allow you to sail a deeper angle. To improve Asail performance, think about adding a sprit to fly the tack from.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.