Spinnaker prep

[Kermit]

I've read millions of articles and watched billions of videos on flying asymmetrical spinnakers. Most give a basic overview and some are even helpful. But I haven't found a single article or video that shows the best way to pack the turtle so the spinnaker will deploy correctly. And the only instruction I've seen on taking it down says, "Stuff the spinnaker down below and you're done." Really?
I generally take mine off the boat, pull the sock up and straighten the folds and twists before pulling the sock back down. (Actually I do it with the sail all horizontal so I can get to it.) I then pack the turtle with the head on top and tack and clew just below. But I'm still not convinced I pack everything back in the turtle in the best way possible. Can someone point me to some instruction or take the time to give your take on this?

Thanks!

 

[weinie]

You should 'run the tapes' prior to each initial set for the day. Start at one corner and with your thumb and index finger, follow the foot, luff, or leach to the next corner making sure there is no twist. Leave each corner sticking out a bit so you don't lose it. Then tie on the lines. Double check it and check how you ran the sheets to make sure there are no surprises on the hoist.

 

[Kermit]

I just did what most of you are about to tell me to do. I googled packing a spinnaker turtle. Amazing what you can find.

 

[Kermit]

You should 'run the tapes' prior to each initial set for the day. Start at one corner and with your thumb and index finger, follow the foot, luff, or leach to the next corner making sure there is no twist. Leave each corner sticking out a bit so you don't lose it. Then tie on the lines. Double check it and check how you ran the sheets to make sure there are no surprises on the hoist.

Thanks weinie!

 

[weinie]

Shouldn't be a need to do that each time with the sock as long as you make sure that when you douse the sail with the hood, you keep the luff and leach apart which should happen pretty much most of the time unless the sail is twisting somehow. Then, on the next set, all you need to do is run the tape on the foot and make sure the clew and tack facing the right direction before you connect the sheets and tack line.

 

[justsomeguy]

If my spin is flying well when I draw down the sock to snuff it, it usually reappears properly oriented.
I use a sail bag, not a turtle per se, and have a mark on the headboard of the asym indicating port and starboard, and a mark on the sock's upper gear as well.
The secured coil of tackline lays at the very bottom of the bag, the sheets are coiled secure atop the tackline, and the sock is S-folded into the bag
The coiled downhaul control line rests to one side of the bag, and the uphaul lays coiled next to the head of the system.
If nobody handles the bag roughly, it'll usually redeploy just fine.

 

[Kermit]

Thanks justsomeguy. This is the kinda details I'm looking for.
I'm Kermt (not the frog) and I approve your message.

 

[justsomeguy]

[bows]
Well, thank you, and you're very welcome.

 

[Jackdaw]

As other note, a sock will really help keep the tapes straight. Unless you REALLY mess up a douse, the sail will remain straight in the sock and you can reliably hoist it again without fear.

One thing I tell people about setting and dousing a spinnaker (with or without a sock) is to DO IT QUICKLY. Once you start, go fast unless something goes tragically wrong. 95% of spinnaker nastiness happens with the kite halfway up or down.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I have never used a sock, but when I pack the turtle, I put the head up high, usually on a hand held, and run the tapes down, to the foot, then, attach both feet (tack/clew) to the turtle, then stuff the bag from the foot towards the head, keeping the tapes together.

its possible to get an hourglass, even when its done right....

for me, its the take down that is scary /crazy.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

^ jack, I'd agree that fast is good, except for the halyard release.
(after the tack is blown) I like to drop it maybe 10' initially, then hold on till I'm sure the crew has gathered it up, and its going into the cabin. our biggest problems were a quick halyard release and the sail went into the water....

ymmv.

 

[Jackdaw]

^ jack, I'd agree that fast is good, except for the halyard release.
(after the tack is blown) I like to drop it maybe 10' initially, then hold on till I'm sure the crew has gathered it up, and its going into the cabin. our biggest problems were a quick halyard release and the sail went into the water....

ymmv.

For sure, the person in the pit (controlling the halyard) has to work with the foredecker to get it down fast and in control. After the initial big ease to collapse the kite, they match the pull-down rate until the foredecker yells 'burn it'. That's the point when they have the sail under control and the pit can let the halyard run free. This is the same if there are 8 people on the boat, or 2.

 

[alexco38]

I found that if you spread the bottom (tack and clew) apart as far as you sock allow, it won't twist on deploy. Even if there is a twist, spreading the bottom apart before hoist help it un-twist itself. Afterall, it is a triangle. The wind will help un-twist.

If you don't have the bottom apart, it's like a hour glass. Wind will try to fill the top and the bottom half whichever way it wants thus twist.
It is more important without a sock to spread the botrtom apart as far as you can before hoist both Symp and Asym.

 

[bgary]

As an ex-foredeck guy... there are some cheats that are pretty useful.
I generally sit (someplace) with the spinnaker bag between my legs. Then
-- find the white (foot) tape, put it on my lap and trace it out to the red clew. Put it against my hip.
-- follow the white (foot) tape the other direction to the clew, put it against my other hip
-- now you have the whole foot, traced clean, sitting on your lap. Stuff it into the bag.
-- trace the red tape up and bunch it to the side
-- trace the other tape up, bunch it to the other side
-- now you know that both sides are clean (no twists)
-- grab all the cloth in the middle and stuff it into the bag. Be careful *not* to stuff either tape into the bag
-- when the bulk of the sail is in the bag, pile the tapes on top.
Doing it this way, the chute will come out of the bag "narrow" when hoisted, and won't begin to fill until it is most of the way hoisted. Easy-peasy.
Same approach (generally) applies for assymmetrics, but agree with the above that a sleeve is a great way to handle an assy when cruising. I basically stuff the whole sleeve into the bag, keeping the tack and clew out, then lay the tack, clew and head on top when closing the bag. When it is time to hoist, hook them up, raise it, then pull the sock up and you're flying.
B

 

[Head Sail]

I have never used a sock,

for me, its the take down that is scary /crazy.

Maybe you should think about a sock? That would take at least half of the scaryness away.
I've tried it both ways and a sock is a BIG help.

 

[weinie]

Maybe you should think about a sock? That would take at least half of the scaryness away.
I've tried it both ways and a sock is a BIG help.

If you think that's a breeze, wait till you try a top down furler You can set and douse without leaving the helm!

 

[Kermit]

If you think that's a breeze, wait till you try a top down furler You can set and douse without leaving the helm!

I'd love to have one. Christmas wool be here before you know it. (Just in case y'all need ideas.)

 

[justsomeguy]

Christmas wool be here before you know it. (Just in case y'all need ideas.)

A sweater?

 

[Kermit]

A sweater?

View attachment 125313

Sorta makes me glad about auto-correct for once!

 

[weinie]

That sweatshirt must be Italian