spinnaker question(s)

[Reudi Ross]

Hello all, I am new to using spinnakers and would like some advice. I have a hunter 260 with an asymetrical spinnaker from a catalina 250. dimensions of the spinnaker are 26' x 29.5' x 16'. Obviously 16' is the foot. Reading in Chapmans it states "cruising spinnakers have a leech length that is longer than the luff length". Is this correct? I talked to the people at North Sails and their size chart for a Hunter 26 is luff=30' leech=26.5' foot=16-18' depending on the sail. I don't have the mast up right now, so I can't measure the halyard length. He also recommended using only one sheet and moving it around the forstay to the other side when you jibe. The boat came with sheets for both sides of the spinnaker. Any input on this? I'd hate to go out and fly the thing backwards, That would get plenty of yucks from the peanut gallery.

 

[Wanderer138]

Sounds like a misprint

The luff should be longer than the leech. The North dimensions you gave confirm this.The cruising chutes I've used had two sheets just like a genoa. The sheets have to be very long, twice the length of the boat is a good estimate. All the spinnaker control lines should be outside all the standing rigging. To gybe, ease the sheet until the sail is streaming downwind like a flag in front of the forestay, then pull the formerly lazy sheet in.The tack should not be shackled like you would with a jib or genoa. Instead, clip it to a tack line, which is run through a sheave on the bow and back to a cleat in the cockpit. You can trim the sail more effectively by adjusting all three lines. In addition, if the boat becomes overpowered, you can slip the tack line and the sail will stream off downwind like a flag. The lower end will be held by the sheet, not the tack, so it will be closer to the boat. You can then douse it from the cockpit by pulling the sheet in while easing the halyard. Have fun.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[higgs]

Some other ideas

Get a spinnaker sock - they make handling these sails a piece of cake. If jibing seems a little intimidating a sock makes it easy. Just douse it, jibe and raise it again. The sock can also be used to reef the sail in windier conditions. Trim so the leech and foot are flat. lead sheets to genoa track - not to stern. You can use this sail on a close reach in light air keeping the foot dropped straight down.On a broad reach raise the tack to pulpit height.These sails do not work well when running. If you have a spinnaker pole, the solution is to use the sail as if it were a symetrical spinnaker - with the tack off the deck and at the spinnaker pole.Some of this is from personal experience and some from a Strictly Sail seminar.