Cruising Foresail?

[Dave Brengelmann]

What foresail / installation do you recommend for a H35.5 cruiser for better downwind performance in 5 - 10 knot conditions? Since my crew (two toddlers and wife) never assist, I need a good singlehander's solution. Furthermore, since I'm lazy, but would like to use it a lot around Puget Sound it needs to be simple to fly.

 

[Andy]

Shoot that sail

Have you ever considered buying a Freedom with gun-mount spinaker? Some one told me a gunmount was available for other boats but I have never seen it on anything other than a Freedom. It works real neat. Launched from a sock on the deck, it can be launched, gibed, and retrieve from the cockpit. The pole swivels from the bow pulpit. Have you ever seen one?

 

[Bill Colombo]

Downwind Booster

Dave, If you've never had the pleasure of using an asymmetrical cruising spinnaker with a dousing sleeve you will be pleasantly surprised. These sails, such as the Doyle APC, require minimal additional equipment. They can be flown by 2 people (one if you have an autopilot) on most boats. The dousing sleeve makes the sail easy to set as well as douse. If you want something even simpler, the Doyle UPS, which is a light downwind sail with a built-in roller furler, can be hoisted at the dock and then set, flown and doused without leaving the cockpit.Good Sailing, Bill