Asymmetrical Spinnaker

[truckman]

I am getting ready to purchase an asymmetrical spinnaker with a sock for my boat and was wondering what everyone else was using and what their experiences have been with the sail and how they rigged it. I mostly day sail and am wanting to increase my ability to sail in lighter winds as well as getting more fun going offwind. My current set up is a stock main and 135% Jib. I would be interested in being able to use this sail for going upwind in lighter airs as well as going as deep as possible. I know it sounds like I need more than one sail, but my budget just won't take that. Another option is radial vs. star cut try radial which I don't know much about. Paul I am interested in your furling screecher/genneker, but that might be out of my price range as well.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Clark]

Some Code 0's are advertised to go up to 60* in very light winds and that is usually optimistic. And, a sail cut flat enough to do any better does not do very well passed 135* or so. You might check into the Doyle UPS. It's a hybrid that compromises upwind and downwind.
A star-cut triradial has seams in all the primary load paths and will hold shape a bit better on a reach than a radial head.
Good Luck!

 

[paulj]

truckman

I have posted some pictures of the sock vs the furler on my

boat with some notes.



Some additonal videos are attached with some info sheets.



http://www.facnor.com/uk/products/catalogue_2011/fichiers/facnor_2011_uk_basdef.pdf
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourself/spinnaker/spinnaker.htm
http://www.na.northsails.com/SAILS/GennakerHandlingVideo/tabid/8723/Default.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZU0mck3hE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_1vUaruCYI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=XbXx524vOGU




The video showing the sock going up and down is a good

depiction of how the sail is flopping loose under the

sock.....in a 10 to 15 knot wind this is really

something to experience..... the reason to take the Asym sail

down is because the wind is too strong.



Just some thoughts............



paulj :troll:

 

[truckman]

Paul, Thanks for the information. I am leaning towards a G3 gennaker from North Direct. With a sock I am in the $1700 range which might be hard to do with the furler design. I was wondering about two things. I believe you are attaching your tack/furler to the bail on the anchor bow roller. How does that hold up? As well you installed some cheek blocks do you feel that they were the best option now that you have had them for a while or do you wish you would have done it differently. It seems like it might me the way for me to go as well. Thanks again

Dave

 

[paulj]

truckman

I have not made any modifications to my asym setup.


I think a long snuffer sock to completely cover all the asym so you do not have

any sail flopping around is important.


Note: " With SnufferPlus, you deal with an easy-to-handle tube rather than arms full of sailcloth blowing over the rail. A convenient control line quickly pulls the SnufferPlus up or down."


When I used the sock I had a ATN tacker and it worked OK.

I attached the tacker line to the bail on the anchor....that's what Catalina put it there for.



I like this video for setup......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UfYUe6M74s&feature=endscreen&NR=1



paulj :troll:

 

[Witzend]

Great Video!!

 

[pk104]

Don't know if this would help but the sail in my picture is called a "Reacher". It has a wire stay in it that helps it point. I do use a sock to get it up and down because this one is so big.

I attach blocks to the rear cleats just like the previously posted pictures.

I bought it used so can't tell you what a new one would cost.

 

[paulj]

truckman

My asym dimensions........




paulj :troll:

 

[rpwillia]

An additional $0.02

At the Annapolis Boat Show last year Bacon's was offering Asymmetric Spinnakers with Socks for $1600 as I recall. I was thinking symmetric at the time, but they may give you the same boat show deal if you ask.

 

[truckman]

Re: An additional $0.02

Thanks to all for your help. I went with the North Sails Direct G3 Gennaker with a North Snuffer Plus for a killer Miami Boat show price of $1449 which includes shipping. I am still a little hesitant to use the bail on the anchor roller it seems really far out which is good, but that also means its a great lever. More help is needed. I do have 4-6 weeks for it to come. I am also considering tapered sheets anyone try these. If so how long should the taper section be? Might have to actually fly the thing first to get an accurate measurement. Thanks again for all the help. Here is a pic for Paul. Boat is on the hard this week for a little spring cleaning and bottom painting.

Truckman