Spinnaker sheets

fred1diver

fred1diver

.
Aug 17, 2013
920
Pearson P30 202 Ottawa/Gatineau
Hey everyone, almost ready to take Out the spinnaker on my Pearson 30, but I’m missing the sheets, and I don’t know how long I need, I have an uphaul line, halyard, spin pole, missing a down haul and the sheets
any input will be appreciated
Fred
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,468
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
For spinnaker sheets floating is good too. A little stretch isn't so bad. For those sudden pops after a droop the sail is less likely to tear and deck hardware is less likely to break.
For the downhaul shock chord isn't a bad option. You don't have to immediately release the downhaul to pull the pole back for minor adjustments. The stretch can also make a jibe easier.
 
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fred1diver

fred1diver

.
Aug 17, 2013
920
Pearson P30 202 Ottawa/Gatineau
Wow I’m learning so much here, I like it

now no one mentioned size of line, what would be a good size???
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,746
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Fred. I’m going to assume that your not into heavy racing. So you’ll want to look for line that is light weight, good grip with flexibility.

A polyester braid over a polyester core in a small size to minimize weight but large enough that you want to grip it and hold on to steer the sail. This is also easier on your pocket book.

If you fashion your sailing against the racing elite than a polyester cover over a dyneema core might be the way to go.

I find that when flying a spinnaker holding the sheets and steering the sail to optimize the wind power is a fun but can be tiring task. Lines too small will be uncomfortable for any length of time.
 
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Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,442
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I get away with 1 sheet. Not sure, but I think I lost one in the drink.

I usually put the aspyn in the sock, then walk the sheet around the head stay to tack. Pain in the @&$*$(, but I don’t think I could do it any other way, even with 2 sheets.

Try not to fly it unless you AP have a LOOONG run between tacks!

8E176C55-E901-4248-AE7E-F3CAF57F2FDF.jpeg A00E6635-FB6C-4715-8EFD-4B73F92AD0DC.jpeg

Greg
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,746
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Tally Ho said:
I don’t think I could do it any other way, even with 2 sheets.
Click to expand
It can be done. The lazy sheet rides in front of the sail and can rest on your bow pulpit when not being used.

When it is time to tack, you set the new direction, let the spinnaker go forward and out in front of the boat as you draw in the lazy sheet putting the sail on the new tack. It is a bit of art to do it smoothly. You will want to watch the sheets and not let them get sloppy, The risk is the sail goes out in from of the boat and the lasy sheet is not tended so it drops down into the water and under the boat. Being attentive to the sheets makes it a quick and painless process. No dropping and raising of the sleeve.

Then again it is always fun to stroll about the boat. Gives you time to survey the boat and catch any anomalies.
 
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Davidasailor26

Davidasailor26

.
May 17, 2004
5,541
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
jssailem said:
It can be done. The lazy sheet rides in front of the sail and can rest on your bow pulpit when not being used.

When it is time to tack, you set the new direction, let the spinnaker go forward and out in front of the boat as you draw in the lazy sheet putting the sail on the new tack. It is a bit of art to do it smoothly. You will want to watch the sheets and not let them get sloppy, The risk is the sail goes out in from of the boat and the lasy sheet is not tended so it drops down into the water and under the boat. Being attentive to the sheets makes it a quick and painless process. No dropping and raising of the sleeve.
Click to expand
That usually works for me. Sometimes the lazy sheet gets snagged on the bow pulpit, anchor, bow lights, etc. but if it doesn’t that works well. It also helps to shed the main in first and keep it tight until after the gybe is over, especially in light air. That lets more wind through to keep the spinnaker filling forward instead of hanging down and snagging on the forestay.
 
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Tally Ho

Tally Ho

.
Jan 7, 2011
5,442
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
jssailem said:
It can be done. The lazy sheet rides in front of the sail and can rest on your bow pulpit when not being used.

When it is time to tack, you set the new direction, let the spinnaker go forward and out in front of the boat as you draw in the lazy sheet putting the sail on the new tack. It is a bit of art to do it smoothly. You will want to watch the sheets and not let them get sloppy, The risk is the sail goes out in from of the boat and the lasy sheet is not tended so it drops down into the water and under the boat. Being attentive to the sheets makes it a quick and painless process. No dropping and raising of the sleeve.

Then again it is always fun to stroll about the boat. Gives you time to survey the boat and catch any anomalies.
Click to expand
I will have to practice getting the spinnaker to float in front of the furler…doesn’t seem to that for me.

Greg
 
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jon hansen

jon hansen

.
May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
flying the spinnaker: i want a crew of 4 to fly the sail. 1 on halyards and downhauls. one on the guy. 2 on the sheet. the guy and halyard can call the wind as well.

tip for the helm: steady on your course. eyes on your course. watching the sail is same as texting while driving. let your crew do their work. helm needs to drive the boat.

you can fly it with less people when your crew get's up to speed and is comfortable in all the jobs.

light winds are easier of course.

then i have main sheet trim
mizzen sheet trim
mizzen staysail trim
forward staysail trim

all in harmony and none choking off the slots.

again, steady at the helm and let the crew do their work.when done right the sails steer the boat and the rudder is just trim

it's a hoot, enjoy the ride

then you get to take it down. yippee. blow the guy and pull in the sheet to the luff and pull in the sail by the luff under the boom into the cockpit,

oh, did i mention dipping the poll on the jibes. practice helps.

drop both staysails, jibe the booms, dip the poll set the sails fly the staysails. it's a hoot. again, when jibing the helm has to be spot on in the swing to the new course. watch your heading not your sails.

now let your buddy's wife steer just for grins :yikes:

i know your a sloop and i'm an old yawl. extra fun for me

it's like conducting a swing band from the thirties
 
shemandr

shemandr

.
Jan 1, 2006
7,468
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I was assuming that we were talking about a symmetric spinnaker given the OP's reference to a spin pole, and uphaul.
But I love Jon's Yee-haw attitude.
 
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jon hansen

jon hansen

.
May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
tip on easy take down: pull the sail in by the luff edge only. the sail cloth will follow it into the cockpit without catching wind. usually dry as well. do not start bunching in the sail by the bottom,. it will only let the sail fill with air
 
jon hansen

jon hansen

.
May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
take extra crew. find an old salt to talk you through it. practice a bunch. the crew will love it. get comfortable flying it. it's ton of fun.
 
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jon hansen

jon hansen

.
May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
spinnaker sheets have shackles with a 5"lanyard on the pin so you can blow the guy as needed. tip, keep the shackles lubed
 
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