I've been using spinnakers for 30 years, and never thought them particularly difficult to douse. Walk up and pop it out of the pole fitting (or tack point if asym), it turns into a big flag, grab the foot and stuff down the companionway as it's lowered. I can do it by myself on my C27 as long as I do it before the wind gets up too much, which I'm careful to do if singlehanding. But ... all the glowing talk about snuffers has me wondering if I'm missing something. I'm going to buy a new asym. How about it. Do I need the snuffer? Thanks, Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Comments on snuffer, please
- Thread starter Tom Monroe
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If you're well experienced ......
.... a chute scoop/snuffer/sock/etc. etc. will be a big PITA as it adds essentially 2 more control lines to get fouled. If you can always raise without creating a 'bubble' without a scoop/snuffer, then you will have no need for one. The chief drawback is when the scoop/snuffer/sock etc. gets soaking wet and then fouls .... and you have to 'blow' the spinn by the 'normal way'. However, even if you are the most experienced at spinn handling, the ONE advantage is the ability to 'reef' the chute by partly lowering the snuffer/scoop to expose the sail area that you desire. If you launch from a tube or launch from stops .... there is absolutely NO comparison, if you know what you are doing. ;-)
.... a chute scoop/snuffer/sock/etc. etc. will be a big PITA as it adds essentially 2 more control lines to get fouled. If you can always raise without creating a 'bubble' without a scoop/snuffer, then you will have no need for one. The chief drawback is when the scoop/snuffer/sock etc. gets soaking wet and then fouls .... and you have to 'blow' the spinn by the 'normal way'. However, even if you are the most experienced at spinn handling, the ONE advantage is the ability to 'reef' the chute by partly lowering the snuffer/scoop to expose the sail area that you desire. If you launch from a tube or launch from stops .... there is absolutely NO comparison, if you know what you are doing. ;-)
I agree with Rich...
however, they're handy for big sails and small crews. So the cruising couple on a 36 footer would find it easier to douse or control the gennaker. The smaller crew can go forward, snuff the chute, and guide it in to the hatch while the skipper controls the sheet, halyard and tackline from the cockpit. No need to repack. If you're doing fine with the chute now, I can think of no reason to spend the money on a snuffer.
however, they're handy for big sails and small crews. So the cruising couple on a 36 footer would find it easier to douse or control the gennaker. The smaller crew can go forward, snuff the chute, and guide it in to the hatch while the skipper controls the sheet, halyard and tackline from the cockpit. No need to repack. If you're doing fine with the chute now, I can think of no reason to spend the money on a snuffer.
snuffer
joe just pointed out a couple of big advantages to the snuffer-you can quickly douse the chute in any conditions, and it's already set to relaunch-you don't have a pile of cloth that needs to be restopped or bagged before resetting. for a shorthanded crew, it's really great
joe just pointed out a couple of big advantages to the snuffer-you can quickly douse the chute in any conditions, and it's already set to relaunch-you don't have a pile of cloth that needs to be restopped or bagged before resetting. for a shorthanded crew, it's really great
If...
...you race then you let the crew handle it. If you cruise and have experience with a spinnaker you still don't need the thing. Blowwing off either sheet(symetrical) or the tack line(asym) will remove all pull on the sail and allow a very easy drop into the forepeak hatch. Socks are basically for people who are affraid to launch a spinnaker, but get a sense of security with the sock.
...you race then you let the crew handle it. If you cruise and have experience with a spinnaker you still don't need the thing. Blowwing off either sheet(symetrical) or the tack line(asym) will remove all pull on the sail and allow a very easy drop into the forepeak hatch. Socks are basically for people who are affraid to launch a spinnaker, but get a sense of security with the sock.
Afraid to launch a spinnaker?
Phew. I don't think fear has anything to do with it, with all due respect to Alan. The sock provides some advantages and, agreeably, some complications. But emotions aren't part of it.
Phew. I don't think fear has anything to do with it, with all due respect to Alan. The sock provides some advantages and, agreeably, some complications. But emotions aren't part of it.
Advantages ----
Chuck has it! The real advantage of a sock is not in dousing but in launching. With a sock the spinn opens from the bottom, just like being launched from stops. From a bag/turtle it 'usually' opens from the top; hence, the greater chance of wrapping around the forestay with a big oscilating bubble.
Chuck has it! The real advantage of a sock is not in dousing but in launching. With a sock the spinn opens from the bottom, just like being launched from stops. From a bag/turtle it 'usually' opens from the top; hence, the greater chance of wrapping around the forestay with a big oscilating bubble.
sock
Thanks, Rich and Paul! I raced for many years and have no fear of a spinnaker! However, on a cruising boat the sock has many advantages-you don't "need" one-but you don't "need" a chute or a gps, either. If it makes a chute easier to use, and safer, why not?
Thanks, Rich and Paul! I raced for many years and have no fear of a spinnaker! However, on a cruising boat the sock has many advantages-you don't "need" one-but you don't "need" a chute or a gps, either. If it makes a chute easier to use, and safer, why not?
Thanks for your comments ....
Appreciate your input. I had always thought of it as a way to take down the chute, not as a way to control the set. I'll give that some more thought. Mine always goes up fine, but only after repacking it in the turtle. Takes two people to do it easily, or one person using figurative language. When I singlehand, the chute never goes up twice. I have to do it down below, and I don't like to take my eyes off other boaters that long. All that said, I think I'll use the money on something else on my lengthy list of things I'd like to have. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Appreciate your input. I had always thought of it as a way to take down the chute, not as a way to control the set. I'll give that some more thought. Mine always goes up fine, but only after repacking it in the turtle. Takes two people to do it easily, or one person using figurative language. When I singlehand, the chute never goes up twice. I have to do it down below, and I don't like to take my eyes off other boaters that long. All that said, I think I'll use the money on something else on my lengthy list of things I'd like to have. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
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