Question for the sail makers among us . . .

[sinnettc]

How difficult would it be to convert a .5 oz symmetrical spinnaker to something along the lines of an asymmetrical crusing gennaker like a UK-Halsey Flasher? I've got a symmetrical chute I'll never use but I know we'd be able to use it if could be reconfigured as a light weight gennaker.

 

[Ross]

not a job for do it yourself.

 

[RichH]

Virtually impossible to do without totally 'rebuilding', relofting, recutting most of the sail. Its the added 'disassembly' time costs that will result in a cost much higher than a brand new sail. If the sail material has already lost its 'relative stiffness' (in comparison to new nylon ripstop) then you can probably double the time/effort involved as old ripstop is a royal PITA to work with.
The Ripstop nylon is probably the cheapest component of the sail .... so using old ripstop from one sail to make a totally different shaped sail is probably false economy.
Its all the 'handwork' involved in making or remaking a sail that adds to the greatest expense.

A symmetrical is somewhat spherical in shape; an asymmetrical is somewhat closer an exceptionally full drafted genoa.

A parallel would be taking a Ford to an automobile 'rebuilder' and having them remake it into a Toyota. Better & cheaper to sell the Ford and then go out and buy a good used Toyota

 

[sinnettc]

Thanks. Guess I'll sell it then.

 

[RichH]

A kit 3/4oz. asym spinnaker for a Capri 22 (you sew it together, etc. yourself) from a source such as Sailrite.com would be about $575.
Spinnakers (in kit form) are VERY easy, even for a novice, to make. All you need is a 'decent' zig-zag sewing machine with a 'walking foot' (NOT a lightweight home 'dressmakers' machine).

The cheapest ready made Asym will be about $1000.00

 

[OldCat]

A kit 3/4oz. asym spinnaker for a Capri 22 (you sew it together, etc. yourself) from a source such as Sailrite.com would be about $575.
Spinnakers (in kit form) are VERY easy, even for a novice, to make. All you need is a 'decent' zig-zag sewing machine with a 'walking foot' (NOT a lightweight home 'dressmakers' machine).

The cheapest ready made Asym will be about $1000.00

$1000 ?
Catalina Direct has asym spinnaker for ~600 (ready-made), though the rigging kit (blocks, lines, mast crane, etc.) is another 300. The sailrite c22 kit was ~500, which seemed to be for the sail only, so needs something like the rigging kit above as well. ~800 vs ~900 to make it??? Unless you wanted to do a lot more sewing, it does not look like the difference would pay for the sewing machine. That, plus the lost sailing time sewing, I'd just go with the Catalina Direct kit (note, I did not see C22 spins in this website's chandlery).

Next time I need to spend a B.O.A.T. ...

OC

 

[sinnettc]

Catalina Direct charges $735 for my tall rig, but that's not too bad. I've already got a chutescoop so all I'd need is the rigging at the bow.

 

[OldCat]

Catalina Direct charges $735 for my tall rig, but that's not too bad. I've already got a chutescoop so all I'd need is the rigging at the bow.

Oops - I forgot that you had a Capri 22, not a C22.

OC

 

[Joe]

Get rid of the old stuff and buy a new one.

North Sails Direct will sell you an Asym to fit your boat for $565. If I were you I'd sell the spinnaker and chutescoop and spend the money on a new sail... You don't really need a sock to launch and recover such a small sail. The sail can be easily handled from a turtle(aka "box bag") a lot quicker and simpler than messing around with the launching sleeve rig. The capri has lot of deck room and an even bigger cockpit so you could launch and retrieve directly from the cockpit.

http://www.nsd.northsails.com/product/tabid/62/productid/128/sename/gen-25-gennaker-25/default.aspx

Using the sock requires two actions: Hoisting the sock, and launching the sail.. plus you have to stand on the foredeck to do it. If you simply rig the sail up in the turtle, with the halyard, sheet and tack line... you can simply hoist it right out of the bag... When you take it down, blow the halyard, release the tackline and pull the sail in under the boom with the sheet while you're standing in the forward part of the cockpit, or if you're by the mast, just grab the foot and start stuffing the sail back into the turtle while the crew controls the other lines.

Here's a "boxbag"... I still call it a turtle. http://www.nsd.northsails.com/product/tabid/62/productid/105/sename/spinnaker-box-bag/default.aspx

 

[RichH]

I agree completely with Joe on omitting the chutescoop for a Capri 22.

Your spinn size is relatively small, the chutescoop adds 'significant complication' to the launching and retrieval - more lines to tangle and snarl plus you are not in the cockpit at the critical times to avoid 'forestay wraps' and 'bubbles' etc. On a boat this size I feel a chutescoop adds a LOT of unnecessary 'complication'.

Launching from a 'turtle' is quick and easy and simple, especially if your spinn sheets are 'premarked' and already set in cam cleats for the launching.
For retrieval in a worst-worst case scenario (like when single-handing), you can simply TACK and heave-to (on the mainsail) so that the spinn lays (and stays) on the WINDWARD side of the mainsail ... and then you simply pull down (peel) the spinn from the windward side of the main while stuffing the spinn back into the turtle.

The 'ultimate' for cruisers is a spinnaker furler on a stowable flexible foil ... and the prices for these are becoming more and more attractive as more and more manufacturers enter this market. An example: www.rollgen.com/

 

[Joe]

The 'ultimate' for cruisers is a spinnaker furler on a stowable flexible foil ... and the prices for these are becoming more and more attractive as more and more manufacturers enter this market. An example: www.rollgen.com/

Ooohh... I want one of those!

 

[sinnettc]

Thanks for the info & link guys. Working on selling my symmetrical spinnakers, pole & etc now. The North Sails one looks good!