Spinnaker control

[vegatern]

Had a good sail Sunday but an issue arose that I would appreciate advice on. I had the asymmetrical up on a near beam reach (or at least the apparent wind made it appear so). The breeze increased until the boat was well over on her beam, and the wind had risen pretty quickly. I could not turn the boat downwind with the tiller, actually I thought I might break the tiller with the force I was applying. When I eased the mainsheet, thinking the spinnaker would push the bow downwind as the pressure on the main eased, she instead shot up into the wind, and so I did not blow the vang. I considered easing the spinnaker sheet but the boat was so far over that I thought I might drive the bow under if she turned without coming up first, and because easing the mainsheet gave me a reaction I didn't expect, I was reluctant to mess with the spin sheet. To get out of it I re-hoisted the jib which stole the air from the spinnaker and then took that sail down, but, and this is what I would like to know before I get into that spot again. Had I eased out the spinnaker sheet would the boat have come back up under control or, because the belly of the sail is so high would I need to let the spinnaker flog to spill wind? That seems risky too. Easing the mainsheet seemed to make things worse, though I don't understand why. Should I have blown the vang? If I allowed the boat to climb into the wind the curl crumpled and the spinnaker was out of control so that was not an option. Thanks

Craig Tern #1519

 

[tim_klynn]

That sounds like an exciting sailing day. I'm sure you'll get a better/wiser opinion, but my guess is that maybe the main was overtrimmed and easing the sheet allowed it to somewhat blanket the spinnaker, depowering it and simultaneously power up the main to bring the bow to wind?

How do you rig the asymmetric tack? -Tim

 

[pjacobs55]

If you are close reaching in a breeze with a spinnaker (asymmetric or not, they're roughly equivalent when close reaching) you want the main depowered, probably by keeping the vang very tight, the outhaul and the Cunningham /downhaul very tight. Maybe the traveler is all the way out, if you have one. A good hand is on the main sheet and another on the spin sheet. If you are having control problems (heeling too much, tending to round up) ease the main a lot, all the way to a flog if need be. If you are still in danger of rounding up ease or dump the spin sheet, then either fall off to a new course on which you can carry the spin, or change down to a Genoa or whatever. Remember, it's slow to have steering problems, so changing down to a smaller sail won't slow you down if you are steering all over the place.

On a reach the spin is just a very big reacher or jib, and if you are getting knocked down you can always dump the sheet. It won't be pretty but that's what you do.Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial St.
Portland ME 04101
207/772-2191
Fax 207/774-3940

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From: Tim Klynn
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 3:09 AM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Spinnaker control
That sounds like an exciting sailing day. I'm sure you'll get a better/wiser opinion, but my guess is that maybe the main was overtrimmed and easing the sheet allowed it to somewhat blanket the spinnaker, depowering it and simultaneously power up the main to bring the bow to wind?

How do you rig the asymmetric tack? -Tim

 

[vegatern]

Thanks, I should have eased both sheets. At least my first instinct was almost right. The tack is controlled by a single purchase tackle from the stem with a snap shackle to the sail, then back down the side deck to the cockpit. A single purchase was not enough Sunday and I couldn't budge it. I didn't take the time to put it on the winch. To drop the sail I tied up the tiller and went forward with a light line that has a snap hook at the end, hooked the release ring on the snap shackle and scooted back to the helm before she rounded up. A hard jerk on the line released the tack and pulling the sail into the cockpit was easy. It really was a good sail, perfect day, great blue sky and water. Craig

 

[tim_klynn]

I am thinking about getting an aspin, do you know what the dimensions of your are, and how does it work out for you? -Tim

 

[vegatern]

The asymmetrical on the Tern was on the boat when I bought her and had a penciled note on the clew, which repeated dunkings has washed off, indicating it was a used sail from a Catalina 25. The dimensions are; luff-30', leech 28', foot 16'. I did not get the mid girth dimension. I think that it is 3/4 oz cloth. It seems to my untrained eye a perfect fit.
Craig Tern 1519

 

[tim_klynn]

That makes sense. The Catalina 25 and the Ranger 23 tall are both common boats that have a similar rig size to the Vega and make good donor boats for used sails.

 

[tim_klynn]

When the wind is light, I'm getting a little tired of getting clobbered by Hunters and Catalinas in the club races around here. I finally did much better on the downwind legs with a poled out wing on wing genoa, and actually passed a boat. I'm thinking it's time to escalate sail area with a spinnaker and see if I can do a little better yet.

I'm planning to lead the spinnaker lines (foreguy,halyard,topping lift) aft through a spinlock clutch and am looking for a Lewmar 8 to mount on the port coach roof (to match the other Lemar 8 that's already on the starboard coach roof). I'm guessing that these winches were the original Vega winches and someone may have one laying around....thanks -Tim

 

[j.hunter9999]

As an alternative, could you get away with using a Lewmar 7? I believe I've read where others have installed 7s on the coachroof.

Jack

 

[tim_klynn]

I probably could, I doubt if there will be much on the winch for a load, I was just going for the 8 for aesthetics.....-Tim

 

[pelagicasd]

Tim, Try Craigs list. Go to California and look under Humbolt County. May 17th there was a posting for a Lewmar # 8 with handle for $60.00. Phone number with it is 707 498 8902. Walt
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: tim_klynn@...
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 05:59:26 -0700
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Anyone one have a Lewmar 8 winch for sale?


I probably could, I doubt if there will be much on the winch for a load, I was just going for the 8 for aesthetics.....-Tim

 

[hheiduck]

Tim,
I do...I have the mate to the one mounted on the stbd side. You're right they were the original winches on the Vega. I took the winch apart to grease same. I will put it together and send it to you; anything to help a fellow Vega owner.

Hans

 

[tim_klynn]

That's great Hans! Thanks!
We flew the spinnaker yesterday evening, with a temp rigging setup. It went well. The winds were pretty light to non existant but it seemed to move the boat alone well. The spinnaker looks to be a reaching star cut, it will be interesting to see how it does in more breeze. We've got another week before the summer racing series starts to get proficient in flying it... Let me know what I owe you for the winch. -Tim

 

[hheiduck]

Hi Tim,

I sent the extra winch out this afternoon. I would guess it will take a few days to get there.
I also included a tube of Harken grease that was laying around with the winch, and you don't owe me anything for the stuff, just let me know how it's going.

I'm getting a lot of time sailing "Priscilla" the museum's 1888 Oyster Sloop. We finally got her certified by the Coast Guard to carry up to 18, including crew, and sail the boat 4 or 5 time a week. A lot of work, but a lot of fun too.

Ok, got to go now.

Fair winds...Hans