Flew our asymmetrical spinnaker!

[David W]

On Saturday in preparation for the race around Saltspring Island this coming weekend, we flew our asymmetrical spinnaker for the first time. Winds were light and shifty but all went well. Definitely has a major effect on boat speed. We can fly it from about 60 degrees apparent to about 160 degrees. We had to puzzle a bit over the tack fitting but once we figured it out we were set. Gybed it a bunch of times, first from the foredeck then from the cockpit. Went very smoothly. We are excited!!! David

 

[ESail]

Inside or outside Forestay?

Hi David,Congrats - did you gybe inside the forestay or outside?E.

 

[David W]

All outside gybes

My spinnaker halyard is above my headsail halyard which requires outside gybes.On the last gybes we managed to kept the spinnaker flying the entire time. I was amazed at how easy the chute was to use in terms of controlling several hundred square feet of sail (luff= 46 ft, foot= 28 ft)

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Try this next...

Here’s an easy-to-make bowsprit that seats in the anchor locker.The tack line and both sheets are already deployed for quick setup.Note that the link here has two pages of pix and directions.

 

[David W]

I would be very nervous

about the forces involved in flying a 650 sq ft kite from a pole held in an anchor locker. I have seen spinakker poles buckle masts and flatten 50 ft boats (saw a couple flattened this weekend!) so am very leery about the huge forces spinnakers generate...But I do appreciate the ingenuity....David

 

[Seattle Scott]

Hey David, were you out

on Sunday? There was a national regatta of J-24s racing on Sunday down here and a bunch made the sports page on Monday with knockdowns. I think it was blowing 25knts with higher gusts. I kept my feet on land.