Single-Handed Advice - Whisker Pole and/or Asymmetric Spinnaker

[MarkHejtmanek]

I'm sailing a 2000 Catalina 18 and am frequently solo sailing down here in the Sea of Cortez. So far, I've been successful in using the whisker pole with my 135 Genoa only if I have another crew member on the tiller ensuring I've got good directional control while heading downwind. I have a Tiller-Minder which works OK, but if the swell/waves are more than about a foot, the boat can slew around a little as the waves pass under the boat - which makes trying to go forward to attach the whisker pole a bit dicey. I've been able to go wing-on-wing without the pole, but would like the option of using the pole for more speed and stability for a downwind run. Any suggestions/advice here?

Also, I've been considering purchasing an asymmetric spinnaker and had kind of the same questions - are those easy to deploy and recover if I'm sailing solo?

Thanks!

 

[shemandr]

Great question.
I'm not so well versed in the asymmetrical. It's an 18' boat. So going on the bow is a little dicey. At least for me. The asym could be set up for deploying off the foredeck. That would be via a top down furler. That may require a change in your forestay rigging. Otherwise, an asymmetrical would likely require someone to go on the foredeck to deploy. I know sailors that fly symmetrical chutes single handed by pre-setting all the lines but I think they still had a trip to the foredeck.
I could raise and douse a symmetrical spinnaker on my Bandit 15 - solo. It had a spinnaker tube which would house the spinnaker while un deployed. The sheet was pre set. The guy would be pre-set with the pole already on the mast (Yes I did have to manage the helm). All had to do was hoist the halyard and the spin would come out of the tube and fill. Trim the sheet, adjust the guy and zoom. There was a douse line to the inside belly of the spin that made deploying a breeze. That was a great boat!

 

[cephius (Dave)]

There is a sock/bag that Asymmetrical spinnakers can be pulled out of, and pulled back in to. It would allow you to hoist/retrieve it without leaving the cockpit. You would need to plan rigging the running rigging, in advance, keeping everything clear of your normal sail plan when the Asppin was not in use.

 

[MarkHejtmanek]

There is a sock/bag that Asymmetrical spinnakers can be pulled out of, and pulled back in to. It would allow you to hoist/retrieve it without leaving the cockpit. You would need to plan rigging the running rigging, in advance, keeping everything clear of your normal sail plan when the Asppin was not in use.

Thanks Dave; not leaving the cockpit is a HUGE plus. I have an in-mast spinnaker halyard in place, so I would just need to plan the spinnaker sheet rigging (I think). One more simple question: do you typically fly the Asppin with or without the Genoa deployed?

 

[cephius (Dave)]

The Asymmetrical (or cruising) spinnaker requires a haulyard, a tack line, and at least one sheet. The tack line runs through a tack block on the bow. Being able to adjust the hight of the Aspin tack is a key sail trim/shape action. I would fly the Aspin in place of the Gen held open with a pole. It completely shadows the Gen, so there's no value in having both up at the same time.

 

[Joe]

That boat is small enough, and the sail will be too, to handle everything from the cockpit. You just need to get some experience on how to fly it.... that's the problem. I would NOT recommend a "snuffer" or "dousing sock" per se... They have to be hoisted first, which means standing on the fore deck.. they are great for larger boats with a big ass sail, they help a single crew get the sail down under control... However, all you really need for your 18 footer is to have the rigging led to the front of the cockpit. Keep the sail in a "launching bag".. which has a metal hoop to keep the top open, like a bucket or suitcase. You will need an "adjustable tack line" this is the line that controls the tack of the sail....and you want it run aft. Some sailors will install a small bowsprit to get the sail out front, then a small block allows the tackline to be run all the way aft. You hook the sail up with tack line and halyard while the sail is in the bag. The sheets will be pre run and attached to the sail before you leave the beach. When it's time to hoist, tie the bag to the deck or lifeline for security. Attach the halyard and tackline..... you can cheat the tack forward a bit... it'll come smoothly out of the bag if you've packed the sail "center first".. so all three corners are at the top when the bag is open. Turn down wind and let the boom swing our, then pull the tackline forward followed quickly by hoisting the halyard. The sheets should have already been set and lying on deck.
Now, while standing in the cockpit, steering the boat with your knees (staddle the tiller) you can use both hands to make your sail adjustments. You can start heading up on a reach, asymms don't work well dead downwind. Have fun sailing...... When it's time to bring the sail down, turn downwind. release the tack and halyard and pull the clew into the cockpit under the boom. Soon as you can grab the center of the sail, stuff it into the bag so you're ready for the next time. Easy - Peasy.