Can a symmetrical spinnaker be converted to a asymmetrical spinnaker simply by shortening the leach a few feet on a home sewing machine. I am thinking of purchasing a used sail and convert it myself if it is possible.
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Depens on it's cut to start with. and
This is better to ask of a sailmaker,but when your sailing with the spin as is,note as you move boat from dead down wind on up,to were you see one leach start to fold in,try to see just were the fold takes place,and that will be your new leach line to sew for that sails old shape,the point of sail that that happens at is also about as high as it will fly. That this is something that should only be done for fun with a old sail that is not worth much any way I hope! But the starting shape would be best if the old spin your playing with was as flat(less belly)as you can find,so you have a shot at getting closer to a reaching asym. with your old spin,if thats what your asking for?
This is better to ask of a sailmaker,but when your sailing with the spin as is,note as you move boat from dead down wind on up,to were you see one leach start to fold in,try to see just were the fold takes place,and that will be your new leach line to sew for that sails old shape,the point of sail that that happens at is also about as high as it will fly. That this is something that should only be done for fun with a old sail that is not worth much any way I hope! But the starting shape would be best if the old spin your playing with was as flat(less belly)as you can find,so you have a shot at getting closer to a reaching asym. with your old spin,if thats what your asking for?
IDEA!
If you are purchasing a USED symmetrical spinnaker, why not purchase a USED asymmetrical spinnaker and you have nothing to screw up?
If you are purchasing a USED symmetrical spinnaker, why not purchase a USED asymmetrical spinnaker and you have nothing to screw up?
A big change
I would take the sail to a local sailmaker and ask them if it could be converted. If they said yes, then I would pay them to do it, because I'm sure getting it right (redesigning a complex 3-D shape into a different 3-D shape) will take some real design work, and I doubt they could communicate the needed changes to you in a way you could implement - plus you would owe them money for the design work. But my bet is that they would discourage you. A symetric is designed to flow the air down the sail, while an asymetric flows air around the sail. That's a pretty big difference, not only in the luff, but also in the shape of the belly of the sail. So I'll bet Steve's idea is the best. By the way, we love our Doyle asymetric in light to medium air, for all angles of reaching from barely cracked off to a deep broad reach. David Lady Lillie
I would take the sail to a local sailmaker and ask them if it could be converted. If they said yes, then I would pay them to do it, because I'm sure getting it right (redesigning a complex 3-D shape into a different 3-D shape) will take some real design work, and I doubt they could communicate the needed changes to you in a way you could implement - plus you would owe them money for the design work. But my bet is that they would discourage you. A symetric is designed to flow the air down the sail, while an asymetric flows air around the sail. That's a pretty big difference, not only in the luff, but also in the shape of the belly of the sail. So I'll bet Steve's idea is the best. By the way, we love our Doyle asymetric in light to medium air, for all angles of reaching from barely cracked off to a deep broad reach. David Lady Lillie
We did it
on a sym that came with the boat. It works okay but not nearly as well as a purpose built assym. No way could you do it yourself without ending up with a really goofy shape. There are just too many panels/angles in the interior of the sail. Steve's right.
on a sym that came with the boat. It works okay but not nearly as well as a purpose built assym. No way could you do it yourself without ending up with a really goofy shape. There are just too many panels/angles in the interior of the sail. Steve's right.
home sewing machine
Don't even think about working on a sail, any sail, unless your home sewing machine is capable of making a stagger stitch. Take a good look at your sails and you'll notice that none of them use a straight stitch. There's a reason for that, and if you don't know the reason you'd best take a sailmaking class prior to screwing up your sails.
Don't even think about working on a sail, any sail, unless your home sewing machine is capable of making a stagger stitch. Take a good look at your sails and you'll notice that none of them use a straight stitch. There's a reason for that, and if you don't know the reason you'd best take a sailmaking class prior to screwing up your sails.
Sewing a spinnaker isn't rocket science
You just need to know what needle and thread to use and a little design stuff. Most any home machine can easily sew ripstop nylon and it is really not that hard - just tedious and time consuming. There is a lot of info at Sailrite - http://www.sailrite.com/ . They sell kits precut for you if that interests you. You can get a lot of help from them too if you just ask. Their prices are very reasonable. Your idea of recutting a used spinnaker might be a little more ambitious though. If it is cheap enough, it might be a good learning experience.
You just need to know what needle and thread to use and a little design stuff. Most any home machine can easily sew ripstop nylon and it is really not that hard - just tedious and time consuming. There is a lot of info at Sailrite - http://www.sailrite.com/ . They sell kits precut for you if that interests you. You can get a lot of help from them too if you just ask. Their prices are very reasonable. Your idea of recutting a used spinnaker might be a little more ambitious though. If it is cheap enough, it might be a good learning experience.
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