Hoisting asymmetrical spinnaker problem

[Alastair Longley-Cook]

Flying my new asymmetrical kite was easy with another crewmember on the foredeck. He held the clew and tack down while I raised the sock and voila! there she was.When I tried it alone, the sail would ride up inside the sock if I didn't hold the clew and tack down tight enough. By the time I finished trying to do too many things at once the sail was wrapped around the forestay. I've thought about standing on the sheet and tack line while raising the sock but that sounds dangerous. Has anyone devised a better way to hoist an aysmmetrical singlehanded? Thanks.

 

[Ben]

Hoisting asymetrical spinnaker

First you attach all three corners of the sail. Then you hoist the sail in its sock until the head of the sail is fully hoisted. The tack attachment should be tight if not shorthen the tack line. Secure the halyard. Pull up the sock while somebody in the cockpit controls the clew without trimming the sail too hard. Just enough to control the sail. Keeping the boat going downwind or on a very broad reach facilitates the process. Good Luck. There is no need for acrobatics...ussually!

 

[Al Miegel]

Mark the sock downhaul and tie it to a cleat

What works for me is to have the sock line tied off and then hoist the sail, still and the sheets and halyards in their aproximate positions. Then release the sock and voila.If you have the sock tied off it can't let the sail out of the bag until you're ready.I single hand a lot and find this method along with a very long tack pennant works great. The long tack pennant comes in when you want to douse the sail. Ease the sheet and the tack and it stuffs into the sock easily.

 

[Les Blackwell]

UK sails has a good video or DVD

UK sails has a good video or DVD on hoisting and flying a asymetrical chute. It is expensive at around $30 dollars but was valuable to me. Look at their web site.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

I agree

You absolutely have to have all three points attached before hoisting. I would add two more things. Run the tack line permanently through the sheeves used for the roller furler. One less line to deploy, or trip over. Reposition the roller furler line through Clear Step sheeves along the outside of the lifeline stanchions.Don't even think of running the spin alone unless winds are 10 or under. It's just too risky. Regardless, you should be fully tethered with a proper harness and lifeline just in case you slip. Having said all that, running the spin single-handed is the sailing equivalent of riding a unicycle. Invigorating!