Asymmetrical Spinnaker Sock/Bag Question

[MikeHoncho]

I picked up a North Sail asymmetrical spinnaker used from a seller that thought it didn't have a dousing sock. He had them on his boat (didn't use them) and decided to sell them separately from the sell of his boat. He had them inspected by a local loft and they measured them and inspected them. He had two and I think he confused one for the other regarding the sock. Anyway, I'm not familiar with spinnakers other than a individual one I used on another boat. The loft told him that it was fairly old but in great shape. I agree, it looks like it it has never been flown.

My question is regarding the sock/bag. The sock has the storage bag integrated with it. One end of the bag has the hoop and the other has a draw string that you open to hoist the sail. When doing this the whole thing pays out of the bag and when the bag empties it inverts and goes aloft with everything turning into the douser. I have searched the internet and cant seem to find any pictures of the set up but I'm thinking I'm just not using the right wording in my searches.

Any information you can provide is appreciated.
Jason

 

[Apex]

bag should stay on deck. Look for a means to disconnect. There is a ring at the base of the sock which goes aloft as you lift the sock to reveal the sail.
quick YT search: "spinnaker sock"

 

[MikeHoncho]

bag should stay on deck. Look for a means to disconnect. There is a ring at the base of the sock which goes aloft as you lift the sock to reveal the sail.
quick YT search: "spinnaker sock"

Not this one, its integrated with the sock. That's why I posted the question......

 

[Tally Ho]

Sounds strange to have the bag (mine is quite large) aloft when the sock is raised.

Photos may help.

My bag is totally detached from the sock. It has some hanks on it so I can clip it to the lifeline when I raise the sail out of the bag. The sock “hoop” is raised up the the sail when I pull the control line.

Greg

 

[Davidasailor26]

Sounds strange to have the bag (mine is quite large) aloft when the sock is raised.

Photos may help.

My bag is totally detached from the sock. It has some hanks on it so I can clip it to the lifeline when I raise the sail out of the bag. The sock “hoop” is raised up the the sail when I pull the control line.

Greg

Same here, both with our current Neil Pryde spinnaker and previous Lithincum Sailmakers one. Seems like putting the bag at the top would be lots of weight and windage where you don’t want it.

 

[jssailem]

I have not seen the convertible bag/snuffer combination mentioned by @MikeHoncho. I wonder if it is a custom-designed snuffer to improve the storage and launching of the sail.

Here is a link to Practical Sailor that I found while searching for an Asymmetrical sail snuffer and turtle bag combination.

Snuffer Test - Practical Sailor

Since 1974, Practical Sailor’s independent testing has taken the guesswork out of boat and gear buying.

www.practical-sailor.com

 

[MikeHoncho]

Above.....fully stored with the cover on the hoop on one end and the cinch tight on the other

The cover removed from the hoop and extended a harness that has shock cord (stripped cord) on it.

This end is where the head of the sail comes out. The bag doesn't completly invert, the cuff you see inverts when its is hoisted fully. You can see how it does it in the next pictures.

The sock/sail being removed and the cuff part of the bag being extended.

The above is where the cuff inverts. My hand is where the sock is connected to the bag. The width of the bag doesn't get much wider than the end of the sock but the material is heavier.

 

[jssailem]

Interesting set up. It must be an early version. Mine is like the sock description in the PS article.

 

[jssailem]

I can see how it functions. Should not be to difficult to rig. While the new ones have a collar, your sock is lighter weight withe the pair of steel hoops.

 

[jssailem]

I would play with the rigging on a calm day at the dock. A few hoists and you’ll be raising it like a pro.

It will be easy to gybe. Pull down the sock. Gybe the main, adjust your course, then hoist the sock.

Or.
You gybe and flip the asymmetrical out around the forestay.

 

[Tally Ho]

Interesting design. The bag does seem streamlined when the sail is deployed, so hopefully it works fine.

Greg

 

[Joe]

Have you considered calling or texting your local North Sails Loft and ask the experts how it's supposed to work. Even though you inherited the device, I'm sure they'll be delighted to help you....'cause I sure can't and it doesn't sound like too many others here can either. I'd like to see it work, btw. Might be one of those mysterious transformations from "Britain's Got Talent" that I see on YouTube or tiktok all the time. pretty crazy.

 

[justsomeguy]

When doing this the whole thing pays out of the bag and when the bag empties it inverts and goes aloft

Can you disconnect the bag from the system, leaving the bag tied to the pulpit or below in the vee berth?