Spinnaker Flying Help Tips

[Randy]

Hello,we flew our spinnaker on our C22 yesterday for the first time. I have some questions about this:Is there a source online that I could read up on how to do this properly ( I know, probably should have read up on it before hand, but the winds were barely perceptible and nothing traumatic happened ) ?I found it difficult to keep the whisker pole in place on the sail...what is done for this?On my C22, I have 3 shrouds. I guessed that the whisker pole should be used with it between the forward and mid placed shroud. This IS correct, right?The sail seemed way up high when hoisted to the top of the mast. I understand the goal is to keep the whisker pole parallel to the water. I bought the sail from Bacon and Associates, whom I trust deeply.Any help is greatly appreciated.Thank You in advance.

 

[Ghislain Gaumond]

most enjoyable sailing...

is when the chute is up.Randy,I did not manage to find a good link to send you to for spinnaker sailing, not doubt they exist! They are many good books on sail trimming etc that would include this subject...See the sail trimming forum on this site with Don.I don't know how the C22 is set up for a spi, but generally you have several components that are required.For the pole...it should be attached to your mast at one end, it should be free to move hrinzontally between your forestay and your forward shroud. It should be equipped with a toping lift, a line allowing you to lift the pole up to its desired position. (Parrallel to the water is a start) it should also have a downhaul line allowing the lower the pole to it desired position. These two line are generally attached to the center of the pole and aft to the cockpit. It becomes a balancing act with these two lines to adjust the pole position.You can see that by controlling the high of the pole you may control position the height of your chute once your sail lines are ran properly.Off your sail you, of course, have three lines off each corner (unless it is assymetrical...but let's keep this simple)1st: the halyard to hoist, obvious.2nd the the guy, which is the line that must be lead through the exterior end of your poleto the cockpit, with the guy attached to the pole, you can now see that you have some control in moving your sail back and forth with the pole from your forestay to your forward shroud. This adjustment is adapated depending on boat direction vs wind direction...the art of flying a chute begin here...The third line off the chute is the spinnaker sheet. It is free flying lead back to cockpit and allows you to actually trim your sail once it is hoisted up. You have to set the horizontal pole position and it position in relation to the wind. This line becomes the most active one when sailing a chute, by easing and pulling in this line you trim your sail and go fast!!! ;-)Again, the art form requires too much to be covered here...I would not dare intimate that I have such knowledge.Keep up you search and or find yourself an experience mentor that can show you the ropes!!!Have funGG

 

[Ray Bowles]

GG, Good explanation!

Randy, That was a good expanation covering the basics. Having a topping lift and a good downhaul for your pole makes all the difference.There are some very good articules on spinnaker flying on " sailnet.com " Go to the section on articules (it might be called "features") and look under RACING. Then select "sail trimming". It's all there.Ray