Asymmetrical spinnaker

Jun 8, 2014
28
Hunter 23.5 Lake MaBride
I Would like to add an Asymmetrical spinnaker to my H235. The forestay length is 27'4".
There's one for sale in the Classifieds on this site.
"Chute scoop and sail bag; luff 22’-10”, Leach 20’-3”, and foot 16’-10” Price: $275 OBO".
Anyone have an idea on if the size is good or bad.
Any input would be appreciated.
thx,
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
The luff seems a tad short, which is better than too long, IMO.
The price is excellent. I say go for it as long as the sail is in decent shape.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
It looks like it was from a smaller masthead rigged boat. It's way short in the luff, and long in the foot (200% vs 180%).

Ideally the luff would match your forestay length, but a JSG notes shorter can be better because it makes the sail easier to control. And having a snuffer will add a foot to the luff length as there usually is a short pendant attached to the head to allow the sock to bunch up.

But too short is bad, it makes the sail hard manage at the bow, and has the additional disadvantage of looking silly.

Net-net I'd vote too short, but the price is very good, and you'd probably be able to sell it again for that when you wanted to graduate to a correctly-sized sail.
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
Agreeing with jsg, and for the price, you can fly it a bunch, see how it 'fits' on the boat, and decide what you need. Depending on your intended use, the weather that you'll use it in, and your skill/comfort, you might find it to be perfect, or you might use it as a foundation for getting one built that meets your need exactly, and then sell it for $200. The sizes recommended by sailmakers are not gospel for these sails. I wanted a massive foot for my latest asym, to be used in 'no air'. They balked at the request, and I should have stuck to my ask. The one I got, while huge, is not quite what I was after. (It's the one in the picture to the left).
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
The luff on mine is too long by a couple of feet, you're in Iowa (I think), and I'm in Arizona...
But I'll bet your spin's much less uglier than mine, making a trade that much more convoluted. ;)
 
Aug 11, 2011
1,015
O'day 30 313 Georgetown MD
I looked up the standard measurements for a A-Spinnaker for a 23.5 Hunter.
Here they are: Luff 26, Leach 23.5 and Foot 13.5. Total Sq. Ft is 305. So your luff and leach would be about 3ft short and your foot 3 foot long. I'd keep looking, try used sail lofts like Bacon Sails in Annapolis, MD. Call them and see what they have available and what the price would be. I hear they have a huge inventory of used sails.