After watching the Americas Cup this week on TV, it seems as if a Spinnaker would be something to help enhance our experience when sailing upwind - our 110 Genoa just doesn't cut it !! Does anyone know where I can get a Spinnaker for a 22' Balboa? Used? Either way, my husband seems to think that rigging it wouldn't be that much trouble. Thanx, Darline
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Upwind? That depends....
In light air sailing upwind is more fun than downwind because the apparent wind is more. When you turn around a go downwind the apparent wind is less and in light air this isn't necessarily the most fun. In other words, going upwind is not much fun because it's such a drag going back downwind so this is when the spinnaker comes in handy, on the downwind leg, capturing some of that wind that is going past. So, in that sense, I guess in kind of a convoluted way it could be said that a spinnaker actually improves the experience of upwind sailing! For better upwind performance consider a larger headsail - say a 150? Also, look around and see what some of the other boats your type that are having fun are using. That'd be a good indicator of what to get too.
In light air sailing upwind is more fun than downwind because the apparent wind is more. When you turn around a go downwind the apparent wind is less and in light air this isn't necessarily the most fun. In other words, going upwind is not much fun because it's such a drag going back downwind so this is when the spinnaker comes in handy, on the downwind leg, capturing some of that wind that is going past. So, in that sense, I guess in kind of a convoluted way it could be said that a spinnaker actually improves the experience of upwind sailing! For better upwind performance consider a larger headsail - say a 150? Also, look around and see what some of the other boats your type that are having fun are using. That'd be a good indicator of what to get too.
Assymetrical
If you're just out having fun, look for a good used assymetrical - they're MUCH easier to handle than a tri-radial. Check the classifieds on this site to see if any fit your boat. Minney's is also a good source for old sails; I know a number of folks who've been happy with their purchases. The link to their site is below. LaDonna
If you're just out having fun, look for a good used assymetrical - they're MUCH easier to handle than a tri-radial. Check the classifieds on this site to see if any fit your boat. Minney's is also a good source for old sails; I know a number of folks who've been happy with their purchases. The link to their site is below. LaDonna
LaDonna, Why would you say a Tri-radial is harder
to sail? I've owned and used both and the effort isn't any different. If anything I felt the tri-radial was cut a bit better which I felt caused it to sail "full" easier. I think it really depends on how its cut (Flat or full, short leech,etc) and at what angle you are sailing it. Here are some pics, I can sail with these singlehanded (with an autopilot) in most circumstances. http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=63049627&photoID=63050061&security=cIBRuU
to sail? I've owned and used both and the effort isn't any different. If anything I felt the tri-radial was cut a bit better which I felt caused it to sail "full" easier. I think it really depends on how its cut (Flat or full, short leech,etc) and at what angle you are sailing it. Here are some pics, I can sail with these singlehanded (with an autopilot) in most circumstances. http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=63049627&photoID=63050061&security=cIBRuU
Spinnakers
I think LaDonna was actually simply referring to symmetrical spinnakers (requires the pole) and asymmetricals (cruising spinnakers that don't require the pole) in terms of one being easier to set up and use with the chief difference in performance being that the symmetrical with its pole is more suited to straight downwind sailing than the asymmetrical which is really designed for use with just a couple of guys while running with a bit of a stern or aft beam reach. For a 22-foot boat, unless you are racing, it's probably more financially practical to go with the cruising spinnaker because you don't need all the other gear to fly it. I use one on my Hunter 30 and it's great. An option for running full downwind without the spinnaker, of course, is to use a whisker pole and run wing and wing downwind. A good whisker pole for a 22' boat shouldn't be more than a couple hundred dollars new. Well, that's my 2-cents worth.
I think LaDonna was actually simply referring to symmetrical spinnakers (requires the pole) and asymmetricals (cruising spinnakers that don't require the pole) in terms of one being easier to set up and use with the chief difference in performance being that the symmetrical with its pole is more suited to straight downwind sailing than the asymmetrical which is really designed for use with just a couple of guys while running with a bit of a stern or aft beam reach. For a 22-foot boat, unless you are racing, it's probably more financially practical to go with the cruising spinnaker because you don't need all the other gear to fly it. I use one on my Hunter 30 and it's great. An option for running full downwind without the spinnaker, of course, is to use a whisker pole and run wing and wing downwind. A good whisker pole for a 22' boat shouldn't be more than a couple hundred dollars new. Well, that's my 2-cents worth.
Minney's is good.
Must be, bought my used gennaker there.
Some other used sail outlets: http://www.usedsails.com/ http://www.thesailwarehouse.com/ Sail Exchange, Newport Beach, CA (800) 628-8152
Must be, bought my used gennaker there.
Some other used sail outlets: http://www.usedsails.com/ http://www.thesailwarehouse.com/ Sail Exchange, Newport Beach, CA (800) 628-8152It's A-symetrical not ASS-ymetrical
First, there have beem absolutely too many people incorrectly spelling that term in these columns. Now come on people, we are looking pretty weak. Darlene, get a good Genoa 135% or larger and a whisker pole. A lot easier, cheaper, less work. The larger genoa is a way better investment and your sailing will be enhanced on all points of sail when you ad the whisker pole.
First, there have beem absolutely too many people incorrectly spelling that term in these columns. Now come on people, we are looking pretty weak. Darlene, get a good Genoa 135% or larger and a whisker pole. A lot easier, cheaper, less work. The larger genoa is a way better investment and your sailing will be enhanced on all points of sail when you ad the whisker pole.
Help for a novice
I went to Minny's and saw a large number of various sized used spinnakers for sale. I have a 36CC. How does on determine/know what size spinnaker to purchase? I'm just a cruiser, so an asymetrical seems to make sense (Let me know if I'm wrong). But how does one determine the appropriate dimensions?
I went to Minny's and saw a large number of various sized used spinnakers for sale. I have a 36CC. How does on determine/know what size spinnaker to purchase? I'm just a cruiser, so an asymetrical seems to make sense (Let me know if I'm wrong). But how does one determine the appropriate dimensions?
Dave ... try this for a start ... get a rope ...
tie it to your jib hallard ... run it up to the top ... tie a knot just above the front of your bow pulpit ... measure it, take 5-10% off ... and use that as a starting point. You probably won't get a used sail that is right on ... but then again it probably will work fine for cruising. But wait until you have someone else's opinion other than mine. Vic
tie it to your jib hallard ... run it up to the top ... tie a knot just above the front of your bow pulpit ... measure it, take 5-10% off ... and use that as a starting point. You probably won't get a used sail that is right on ... but then again it probably will work fine for cruising. But wait until you have someone else's opinion other than mine. Vic
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