I'm interested in your experience on which option is the most effective way of sailing down wind on a boat with a fractional head sail (110 Genoa). I understand there are pro and cons for each. So those with experience with both, I'd appreciate your input. I'd hate to invest in a spinnaker just to find out the a whisker pole on the genoa (or vice a versa) works just as good or better in 80% of your sails. Hunter 30T (1993)
Spinnaker (asymmetrical) VS Whisker Pole
- Thread starter Rleiby
- Start date
Sailing downwind with a small fractional headsail will not be as 'good' as an asym until the breeze is up to the point where the asym seems dangerous for most people. Figure 18 knots true wind.
Below that an asym boat will CRUSH a boat with a poled out jib. And be much more fun.
Even more than downwind, light air reaching is transformed with an asym. In 3-6 knots true breese, reaching with the apparent wind on the beam happens at the speed of the wind, something impossible with a jib.
Below that an asym boat will CRUSH a boat with a poled out jib. And be much more fun.
Even more than downwind, light air reaching is transformed with an asym. In 3-6 knots true breese, reaching with the apparent wind on the beam happens at the speed of the wind, something impossible with a jib.
Anyone want to comment regarding poling out the jib on one side and flying the assymetrical on the other with no mainsail? Can the rig handle this? If so it might be prudent to tighten down on the backstay:dance:
Not a great idea. Like in the picture above, asyms 'fly' much like genoas do; moving air across them from the luff to the leech. Driving very deep and putting a poled out headsail in front of it would destroy its flow, and with it its speed generating forces.
I think the OP was asking about Dead Down Wind and that is what I am asking about as well. Obviously a traditional spinnaker would be ideal, but I do not have one and would probably need to add two additional winches to fly one :cry:
If you plan on using your pole on your jib, i might suggest not sailing dead down wind, and remember you always cover more distance on a down wind leg when Gybing down wind at about apparent wind angle of about 150 deg... I know it sounds ridiculous, but it works.....As far as the pole, i find its main advantage is from keeping the sail out in front when sailing downwind in light breeze....
C'mon Jack, it's the bbq that's providing all the lift here. (Either that or the negative righting moment)
Cheers
Gary
Agree with the other posters, don't sail DDW, jibe to get the best VMG.
The only thing a jib has on an asym is you don't have to do much to get the jib working for you.
Now if you have a 5-10 knot jib and a nuthin to 15 knot asym, clearly there is some advantage to spending the time to hoist the asym
The only thing a jib has on an asym is you don't have to do much to get the jib working for you.
Now if you have a 5-10 knot jib and a nuthin to 15 knot asym, clearly there is some advantage to spending the time to hoist the asym
Hey,
Are you racing or cruising? Sailing fully crewed or short handed? Sailing long distance or short distance?
If you are fully crewed, there is no doubt that a spinnaker is the way to go. If you have the budget, then get both a standard spin and an assymetric.
If you are short handed and sailing short distances, then the whisker pole is probably going to be just about as fast. When you consider the time it takes to rig, raise, and douse the chute, the whisker pole would be about even.
I race on a friend's boat with a full crew. We fly a spinnaker as much as possible. I race my boat double-handed with either my son or my daughter. I don't have a spin and won't be buying one anytime soon. A whisker pole is good enough for me in those situations.
If I were cruising for long(er) distances I would probably get a spinnaker. Now, if I am cruising, and the wind is light or from the wrong direction, I'll just motor or motorsail.
Barry
Are you racing or cruising? Sailing fully crewed or short handed? Sailing long distance or short distance?
If you are fully crewed, there is no doubt that a spinnaker is the way to go. If you have the budget, then get both a standard spin and an assymetric.
If you are short handed and sailing short distances, then the whisker pole is probably going to be just about as fast. When you consider the time it takes to rig, raise, and douse the chute, the whisker pole would be about even.
I race on a friend's boat with a full crew. We fly a spinnaker as much as possible. I race my boat double-handed with either my son or my daughter. I don't have a spin and won't be buying one anytime soon. A whisker pole is good enough for me in those situations.
If I were cruising for long(er) distances I would probably get a spinnaker. Now, if I am cruising, and the wind is light or from the wrong direction, I'll just motor or motorsail.
Barry
Barry,
The need is for light air cruising on Lake Ontario. My wife and I are the only ones crewing.
We cruise anywhere from 15 miles to lake crossings of 60 miles. No racing as of yet, only club distance events.
The need is for light air cruising on Lake Ontario. My wife and I are the only ones crewing.
We cruise anywhere from 15 miles to lake crossings of 60 miles. No racing as of yet, only club distance events.
Jack I'm distracted by your crew. Tell me again what am I supposed to see here??Like this. 5 knots in 4 knots of breeze. No way a jib does that!
LOL. Pia can have that effect on people. You're supposed to be looking at the curve of the SAIL.Jack I'm distracted by your crew. Tell me again what am I supposed to see here??