I found a symmetrical spinnaker that is 16 foot with a 24 foot Luft for sale. Will this size sail be appropriate with my Catalina?
Thanks for the wisdom I will have to do some investigating. I will have a knowledgeable sailor check it out for me.Rules can vary from one rating authority to another, but this is the most common.
Luff max = 0.95 * (I^2 + J^2).
Max foot = 1.8 *J.
Max width at mid girth is usually 100% of foot.
Minimum mid girth is 75% of foot.
For a Catalina 22,
max luff is 25.6 feet,
Max foot is 14.40 feet, and
Mid girth is 14.40 feet.
Max area is 306.67 square feet.
The luff on the sail you are looking at is about 10% too short. That's better than too long, but definitely not ideal.
The foot and midgirth are too wide by 7%. That will get incur a rating penalty if you use it for racing.
Area is about 310 square feet.
I can't tell you from the numbers whether or not it will have a stabile, easy to trim flying shape. Beware of baggy, stretched out spinnakers.
Judy B
Semi retired sailmaker.