Buying a Spinnaker, need advice, thanks.

[azdawgfan]

I’m a new boat owner this year. I am thinking about joining the local sail / yacht club and possibly joining in on their weekly racing. “Someone needs to get last place.” A couple of quick questions:
Is there an all purpose spinnaker or Gennaker I should be looking at?
Am I doomed to pay $4000 for an Asymmetrical Spinnaker?
Can anyone recommend a sail company?
Hunter 36 (2007)
Take care and thanks

 

[Alan]

My first thought would be to sail your races in the 'white sails' only division. This will get you started in sailboat racing teaching you the racing rules and giving you valuable lessons on mastering your boat and sail trim. Jumping into the spinnaker division without this prior knowledge can be a major undertaking. I sailed JAM (Jib and Main) for several years before I 'graduated' to spinnaker and still got my butt kicked for a few years before we finally started winning races.

 

[Les]

Good advice from Alan. You have a number of choices to buy a spinnaker, either symmetrical or asymmetrical--two of them I can recommend, right here on this web page in getting a Doyle chute and Puget Sound Doyle Sails in Lynnwood. pugetsound@doylesails.com

My new asymmetrical spinnaker is coming from Jim Kitchen at Lynnwood--it was built/sewn in his loft and he helped me put together the correct gear to fit my boat. Saved me some money. Also I will be going with a Turtle bag instead of a sock for convenience.

I suggest you give him a call. Nice guy.

 

[azdawgfan]

Alan and Les,
Thanks so much. I will take your advice and sail in the white sail division for awhile. I will probably contact Jim on some sail advice too. Thanks again, and take care.
PS - I really like this forum. Most of the sports forums I used to read start with a topic and then run amuck with two posters arguing about who is the biggest idiot. This forum has a great feel to it and has some solid information, too. See ya