Cruising Spinniker

[Marc Potkin]

We just purchased a 1985 30 foot tall rig. On of the sails is a Neil Pride cruising spinniker. We have about 6 years of sailing experience however have never had nor used a spinniker. Our boat is in winter storage right now but we are already planning our summer sailing season. I would like to use the spinniker but do not know where to begin. Any advice would be appreciatedThanks

 

[don]

cruising spinnaker

Marc, I suggest you go to the neil pryde web sit at neilpridesails.com and check their technical articles, one of which about cruising spinnakers. Good luck and good sailing!

 

[Bob Camarena]

Easiest without the main

I like to use my cruising chute with the main down. I find that it's less sensitive that way and I have one less sail to deal with.

 

[Rob]

Try crewing on a race boat

Check out your local yacht club and see if any c-30's need crew. You might not find a C-30, but you could probably crew on a similar boat. Chances are they will be using a pole, but you can get the idea of how to raise, douse, and jibe a spinnaker, as well as trim it. Lots of fun too! I crewed on a J-24 and learned, learned, learned. Seeing is beliving, for sure.Best of Luck - Rob

 

[Larry W.]

Cruising spinny (genniker) or true spinnaker?

Marc; If the sail is an asymetrical genniker, then it's dead easy to use, especially if it has a sock. If it's a true spinnaker that requires a pole, then it will required crew and you'd be better off learning on someone else's boat or having a experienced friend or fellow club member show you how to do it.

 

[francois giguere]

really easy

Hye Marc, if your are in Wesport NY on lake Champlain shore, I went there last summer with my new C30 1992 equiped with cruising spi, sock and pole. It's very easy to use. Begin under very light wind and try many way to do it. You'll love it so much. With the sock, you need only one person at the wheel or autopilot and the pole permit you more errors and more stability. Good sailing!!

 

[Bob Camarena]

It's "Neil Pryde"

If you had a problem finding the website that Don suggested, he had a spelling error, it's neilprydesails.com. The technical articles are at: neilprydesails.com/productframe.htm