cruising spinnaker time?

[obsailor]

I'm thinking of adding a cruising spinnaker (asymmetric, poleless) to my C&C Landfall 35 that I often sail single-handed in Long Island Sound. I understand that I will need the sail, dousing sock, ATN tacker and new sheets. I know that all the major sailmakers market this product, is it worth the name brand price differential? Any suggestions about sail makers, things to avoid or other advice? Is the sail really a good addition for the light-air LIS days? Thanks

 

[melliott0352]

have one on the Catalina 30 I purchased last year. Had an oppurtunity to use it some in light air (3-5 knots I think) coming back from Block Island. took me from 3 knots to 5 knots with a main when used instead of the jib. Looks good too. I seem to be good at tangling up the extra sheets etc., and wrapping it around the headstay. When it works it makes it look like you know what your doing.

 

[RichH]

A MUCH better way to handle a spinnaker than a 'sock' is one of the new 'flying sail' furling units. Facnor, Ronstan, Profurl, Karver all make them .... no foil, just the top swivel and furling drum with continuous line furling ... and its all raised with the spinn halyard.

Ronstan has one for 'sportboats of up to ~24ft for only ~$300. Most spinn furlers for your sized boat would be 1 'boat buck'. the only downside is that with a furler the spinn cant be 'reefed' as can be done with a 'sock'.

To see how these work go to:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LrZYadbbc4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=031P5D6WfZc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=922qmirqimk

 

[stephen Penny]

Consider an a-spinnaker furler controlled from the cockpit vs. a sock. I purchased one from CDI for <$1,000 with all the hardware and rope.

 

[Gunni]

I have the sock and it works great, very simple Neil Pryde system, however someone has to go forward to set/douse the sail. So I only use it with crew. A spin-furler lies somewhere in my future because that would allow single-handing.

 

[justsomeguy]

I've run my sock uphaul and downhaul lines to the cockpit. Only have to go forward to attach the halyard or stow the sock (Or deal with a wrap!) Halyard. Halyard. Halyard!