Spinnaker Technique

[John Rosenberg]

Thanks Gary and Joan!I posted this first as a response to my original topic "Flying the Spinnaker" but then though it might not be seen.I think I too will have my scoop lengthened, it leaves too much of sail exposed and wants to reopen by itself.You also confirmed what experience has taught us, you can't tack. I'll try the douse, tack and then re-open.Do you reef your main on down wind runs to expose more of the spinnaker?We have still had some problems moving the spinnaker around the rolled jib when doing a jib. The result is a mess. Any advise on technique as we go thru the jib?Thanks again,John

 

[Joan]

Tips

In light air we sheet the main as if closed hauled, so that the balooner is only sail really being filled. Be sure that both sheets are completely outside the boat. The trick to jibing balooner is to be sure sail is flying forward at the jibe point. i.e. At start of jibe, balooner sheeted in on port, go completely downwind, loosen the port sheet sufficiently to let the balooner fly down wind. At this point complete the jibe while pulling in on the starboard sheet. It is really a matter of timing with the helmsperson. Also it is harder to accomplish in very light air. In the case you might prefer to douse the spinnaker and carry around the forestay or have the mate walk it around outside of the furled jib. So far I haven't had any luck getting a response to rigid boom vang, although I believe that Gary has one. I've printed out two pictures of a 29.5 and each is done differently. Z-spar (Z diffusion) tells me that their vang didn't come through with a v-cleat on it, but one of the prints clearly shows this v-cleat, so Hunter must have added it. I'm uncertain that ours is rigged correctly. Maybe Gary will read this and respond.  Hope my comments will help.

 

[Ron Williams]

Check the UK homepage

Check the UK home page as they have detailed information on using a asymetric spinnaker.Ron

 

[Joan]

UK home page

site is www.uksailmakers.comInteresting site that I had not visited. Instructions are very similar to mine.