Spinnaker Sheets

[Bob Carlton]

I'm currently rigging my 1994 28' Catalina tall rig for an asymmetrical cruising spinnaker that will be used with a Tacker which eliminates the need for a pole and a Spinnaker Sleeve (both ATN products). The rigging spec sheet which came with my boat indicates that I should get two 60' sheets of 3/8" line. I suspect that the recommended specs envision use of a "racing" spinnaker employing a spinnaker pole. 120 feet of sheet seems like more than I'll need. Also, what about 5/16" line instead of 3/8" line? Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Jerry Olivero]

1 sheet or 2 sheets

The minimum length of sheet that you can rig an asymetrical spinnaker with is about 1 boat length. This sheet length is possible only if you setup the spinnaker to fly only on a single tack and douse it before jibing or changing tack. You will still have to have 2 spinnaker blocks on the port and starboard stern quarter to run the spinnaker sheet through. If you rig with a port and starboard spinnaker sheet so that you don't have to rethread the sheet each time you change tack then the sheets will have to be about 2 x boat length since the lazy spinnaker sheet runs down the windward side of the boat (1 boat length), around the forestay and across the foot of the spinnaker (2nd boat length). I tend to fly only a single spinnaker sheet setup because it is much easier to control and less risk of wrapping the lazy sheet around the keel. Think you will also find that 3/8" sheet is none too heavy when the wind pipes up to 10 knots and you think the bow is trying to do a wheels up and locked take-off. Happy offwind sailing!