I am interested in obtaining a down wind cruising sail have heard pros and cons about different types. your opinion please. Does the oversize mainsail favor one type over the other?
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Spinnaker type
Hi Baja Bob, Welcome to the Doyle Sailmakers forum. A couple of things to consider first. Are you sailing with a crew of more than 2?, Is your boat set up with a spinnaker pole, topping lift and Foreguy? If not, you may want to favor an asymmetrical cruising Spinnaker such as the Doyle APC. The APC is designed for ease of handling and to be used without a spinnaker pole. The APC is effective to around 165% apparent wind angle. A symmetrical spinnaker with a pole can be sailed deeper down wind, but deeper isn't always faster or as safe. And Jibing the Symetrical is a bit more work for a shorthanded crew. With an APC asymmetrical cruising spinnaker, you can easily douse the sail, complete your jibe, and reset on the other side.
Hi Baja Bob, Welcome to the Doyle Sailmakers forum. A couple of things to consider first. Are you sailing with a crew of more than 2?, Is your boat set up with a spinnaker pole, topping lift and Foreguy? If not, you may want to favor an asymmetrical cruising Spinnaker such as the Doyle APC. The APC is designed for ease of handling and to be used without a spinnaker pole. The APC is effective to around 165% apparent wind angle. A symmetrical spinnaker with a pole can be sailed deeper down wind, but deeper isn't always faster or as safe. And Jibing the Symetrical is a bit more work for a shorthanded crew. With an APC asymmetrical cruising spinnaker, you can easily douse the sail, complete your jibe, and reset on the other side.
Both Sails Are Good For Different Reasons
The spinnaker coding chart on the North Sails web site shows graphically the wind angles and apparent wind speeds the various symetrical and asymetrical sails are designed for. Of course these are Norths designs and other lofts including those sold on this web site will be different but similar. From the chart the asymetrical can be flown at closer apparent wind angles but not dead downwind where as the symetrical can be flown dead downwind. For boats with swept back spreaders the main cannot be flown with the boom out 90-degrees so the fact that the asymetrical can't be flown at this wind angle doesn't matter. Proper racing sail trim flying a symetrical the pole should be approximately parallel to the boom but when sailing dead downwind with swept back spreaders this isn't possible. As a recreational sailer I have often sailed dead downwind for one reason or other with the pole and boom as described above because: I was short handed and didn't want to go through all the work of tacking, was in a channel with limited room, and for probably other reasons. Because of the spinnaker pole flying a symetrical is more work than the asymetrical but all that sail area makes it a lot of fun, too. The symetrical gives the greatest area (most power) and the asymetrical can be flown closer to the wind filling in the gap between the jib and the symetrical. I like both sails for different reasons.
The spinnaker coding chart on the North Sails web site shows graphically the wind angles and apparent wind speeds the various symetrical and asymetrical sails are designed for. Of course these are Norths designs and other lofts including those sold on this web site will be different but similar. From the chart the asymetrical can be flown at closer apparent wind angles but not dead downwind where as the symetrical can be flown dead downwind. For boats with swept back spreaders the main cannot be flown with the boom out 90-degrees so the fact that the asymetrical can't be flown at this wind angle doesn't matter. Proper racing sail trim flying a symetrical the pole should be approximately parallel to the boom but when sailing dead downwind with swept back spreaders this isn't possible. As a recreational sailer I have often sailed dead downwind for one reason or other with the pole and boom as described above because: I was short handed and didn't want to go through all the work of tacking, was in a channel with limited room, and for probably other reasons. Because of the spinnaker pole flying a symetrical is more work than the asymetrical but all that sail area makes it a lot of fun, too. The symetrical gives the greatest area (most power) and the asymetrical can be flown closer to the wind filling in the gap between the jib and the symetrical. I like both sails for different reasons.
180 with Asymmetrical
Hello Tim - First off, let me say that I am happy with the full battened mainsail and APC that Karisa and I bought from you folks for our Catalina 36. What a difference new sails make! Regarding sailing dead downwind and the APC, I've found that using the asymmetrical spinnaker like a large genoa and running wing-n-wing with the main on the opposite side works pretty well. Is there some reason why this is not often discussed? Thanks, Trevor
Hello Tim - First off, let me say that I am happy with the full battened mainsail and APC that Karisa and I bought from you folks for our Catalina 36. What a difference new sails make! Regarding sailing dead downwind and the APC, I've found that using the asymmetrical spinnaker like a large genoa and running wing-n-wing with the main on the opposite side works pretty well. Is there some reason why this is not often discussed? Thanks, Trevor
Asymmetrical Wing on wing
Hi Trevor, I'm pleased that you're happy with your sails. As you have found, sailing wing on wing with your APC can be done, but it requires much more attention to flying it this way. Sailing dead down wind in moderate or heavier winds can be a bit harrier than reaching, depending on the boat's balance. Hence forth, the practice of sailing wing on wing with the asymmetrical is not a readily prescribed practice. We leave that up to the individual to discover.
Hi Trevor, I'm pleased that you're happy with your sails. As you have found, sailing wing on wing with your APC can be done, but it requires much more attention to flying it this way. Sailing dead down wind in moderate or heavier winds can be a bit harrier than reaching, depending on the boat's balance. Hence forth, the practice of sailing wing on wing with the asymmetrical is not a readily prescribed practice. We leave that up to the individual to discover.
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