Spinnaker size for a H25. Help??

[Daniel H. Pitman]

I own a 1974 H25 and I have an opportunity to purchase a Used Hood Spinnaker in great shape. The luff is 34'9 and the foot is 22'5. I have the spinnaker halyard going to the top of the mast but I have never owned a spinnaker or used one with this boat before. Could anyone tell me if this spinnaker is to big or not.Thanks,Dan

 

[Jay Hill]

Spinnaker Size

If you've never flown a spinnaker before, you might have a bit of trouble with this one; it is just over the recommended size for the 25. Luff should be +/- 8% of "I" measurement on your vessel. In your case, luffs should be no longer than 32.4'. Foot should be roughly 180% of "J" measurement or no longer than 21' in your case. So at 34.75' luff and 22.5' at foot, it's a little big, BUT THE BOAT WILL STILL HANDLE IT!The question is can you? If the sail is a really good deal, I'd go ahead and buy it, but would NOT launch it in more than 8 knots of wind the first time or two. After a few tries, dings, bruises, and curses, you will get more comfortable launching up to about 15 knots. After that, it's one heck of a ride.

 

[Dave Condon]

spinnaker

most sail lofts have the deminsions. Suggest contacting one to help you. They should be able to help you. If not, get back and we will help you.I can tell you one person who should know is Skip Morehouse who makes good sails. Name of his company is Morehouse Sails at 609-518-0100. He bought the very first Hunter which happened to be a 25. I would think that he should know. When you call, refer to him as Skippy Peanut Butter.I once saw a cartoon where bikini bottoms were sewn together for a spinnaker. Many different colors to include mudslicks. They were refered to as men's briefs. Hope I did not offend anyone with this one.CraZZZZZZZZZZ Buzzle Butt Dave

 

[Dick Vance]

Too Much Sail

Dan,If it were me, I wouldn't buy the sail...its too big. You could certainly fly it but it will be cumbersome. If its dirt cheap you could use it as a learning sail in light air but remember, you have to have a pole that will fit as well. The large foot on this sail would require an 11 or 12' pole to make it work. Poles aren't cheap! Standard size pole is your J. You will also need a topping lift and a downhaul to control the pole. The formula for optimum size for a spinnaker is maximum width equals 1.8 times J, and the maximum luff length equals 95% of the square root of the sum of I squared and J squared. The 25 has an I of 30 and J of 10.5 so the best size is foot=18.9' and luff=30.2'.Other important considerations are cloth weight; sail construction and shape.3/4 oz is considered the all purpose weight cloth with 1/2 oz for light air use and up to 1.5 oz for heavy air cruising. Most casual sailors won't be flying spinnakers in winds requiring 1.5 oz. cloth and its too heavy to fill properly in light winds. Most spinnakers are constructed in 3 basic ways: cross-cut panels, which are used primarily for running; tri-radial, which most general purpose spinnakers use today and the true-radial, which is primarily a racing type spinnaker. The rig dimensions on my 25.5 are very close to yours except my J is 10'.I have two spinnakers, a 3/4 oz tri-radial and a 1/2 oz crosscut (ancient relic still good for very light air running!).I would look for a 3/4 oz tri-radial with a luff range of 29' to 31' and foot of 18 to 19' or so. A pretty good used one should be had for $250 to 350. Some sites that advertise used spinnakers are:http://www.mastheadsailinggear.com/used_sails.htmhttp://www.usedsails.com/http://www.galaxymall.com/commerce/minneysails/  My 3/4 oz is a bit oversized at 32'x19' but we don't usually fly the chute in winds over about 15 since we race shorthanded and prize money is nada! Picture of Honey Bear flying spinnaker is here: http://www.hunterowners.com/gallery/DickVance/DickVance.06.22PM.htmlThere is an excellent website concerning spinnakers at:http://www.uksailmakers.com/encyclopedia4c.htmlHope this helps...Dick VanceH-25.5 "Honey Bear"

 

[Tom Chulski]

Cruising Spinnaker

If you've got the money, consider an asymmetric or cruising spinnaker. They'll still give you increased light air capability, but are much easier to rig and handle (no pole!)