I would like to add a spinnaker to improve downwind performance on my 1989 H28. As all of you know, the swept-back spreaders limit how far out the main can be eased, and therefore when sailing downwind, the main loses efficiency. This occurs even when bringing the traveler all the way to to the windward side. I also find that the main blankets the foresail alot when running or on a wide reach. Have I correctly concluded a spinnaker will improve my downwind speed? The asymmetrical spinnakers I've seen on other boats are primarily on masthead-rigged foresails; are they also efficient on the B&R-rigged Hunters? I single-hand alot, so do not want to manage handling a conventional spinnaker. What type/size of cruising/asymmetrical spinnaker have other mid-size Hunter owners used? Any thoughts on this subject will be greatly appreciated.
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165%
Al, I use a Pineapple 165% .75 oz. triradial asymetrical cut to reaching dimmensions. I can carry it as high as 65 degrees in light air, but the clew drops in anything lower than 155 degrees. This means I still have to "tack" downwind on a deep broad reach, but I'm much faster doing that than going DDW. My chute is built into its own sock, which becomes its sailbag once it's lowered. With that arrangement, I find it very easy to use shorthanded. As a general rule, I won't use it in wind stonger than 12 knots true if I'm singlehanded, but have no trouble taking it to its rating of 18 knots apparent if Wonderblond is aboard. I can't imagine leaving port without it, but the fact remains that your Hunter is never going to be 100% happy running deeper than a broad reach. One word of advice, run jacklines and use a tether before attempting to set a chute singlehanded, and don't even think about it unless you have a sock and a good autopilot.
Al, I use a Pineapple 165% .75 oz. triradial asymetrical cut to reaching dimmensions. I can carry it as high as 65 degrees in light air, but the clew drops in anything lower than 155 degrees. This means I still have to "tack" downwind on a deep broad reach, but I'm much faster doing that than going DDW. My chute is built into its own sock, which becomes its sailbag once it's lowered. With that arrangement, I find it very easy to use shorthanded. As a general rule, I won't use it in wind stonger than 12 knots true if I'm singlehanded, but have no trouble taking it to its rating of 18 knots apparent if Wonderblond is aboard. I can't imagine leaving port without it, but the fact remains that your Hunter is never going to be 100% happy running deeper than a broad reach. One word of advice, run jacklines and use a tether before attempting to set a chute singlehanded, and don't even think about it unless you have a sock and a good autopilot.
Doyle Asymetrical
with sock on our '77 h27. Works great, but only set it with a crew aboard, to hold it masked behind the main while I pull up the sock while clipped on the jackline. A great addition! David Lady Lillie
with sock on our '77 h27. Works great, but only set it with a crew aboard, to hold it masked behind the main while I pull up the sock while clipped on the jackline. A great addition! David Lady Lillie
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