I'm new at this ......... what is the difference between a asymmetrical and a symmetrical spinnaker ???????
Spinnaker.........
- Thread starter Dale E.Harper
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Symmetrical: both sides are the same... The sail is usually "poled out" and is self-standing. To come about the boat must be gybed and the pole must change sides. This is a technical sail to use and there should be a crew to handle it.
Asymetrical: one side of the sail is longer and is fastened at the head and foot. It is mostly handled as a large genoa although it should also be gybed... This is done by sending this sail forward and sheeting it in on the new tack. It is a much easier sail to handle and can be easily flown by a singlehander or a couple.
The sail on this avatar is an asymetrical often flown by a singlehander (me). Although it is easier to handle it is still necessary to respect this sail because of it's size and take-down time if the wind increases.
Pierre
Asymetrical: one side of the sail is longer and is fastened at the head and foot. It is mostly handled as a large genoa although it should also be gybed... This is done by sending this sail forward and sheeting it in on the new tack. It is a much easier sail to handle and can be easily flown by a singlehander or a couple.
The sail on this avatar is an asymetrical often flown by a singlehander (me). Although it is easier to handle it is still necessary to respect this sail because of it's size and take-down time if the wind increases.
Pierre
I wouldn't try singlehanding an asymmetrical spinnaker. We took this picture while tied up at a dock trying to get the twist out of ours. I've never used a symmetrical spinnaker and still have a lot to learn about the a-spin. But dang they're lots of fun!
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=1831&pictureid=15096
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=1831&pictureid=15096
With a sock, the a is not bad to single hand if you have an auto pilot. Don't let one bad experience keep you from trying again.
The a sail is a reaching sail and does not work well for dead downwind or angles close to that. It can be flown off a spinnaker pole like a symetrical for more downwind use. It won't be as fast, but it will work better than a jib.
The a sail is a reaching sail and does not work well for dead downwind or angles close to that. It can be flown off a spinnaker pole like a symetrical for more downwind use. It won't be as fast, but it will work better than a jib.
I found the sock was an addl hassle on our cape dory 22...the asym is small enough you dont need a sock...eom
A sock is totally unnecessary on a boat under 30 feet. On a larger boat a sock is helpful when you have limited crew....as in one.... The deal is.... you still have to go forward to hook up the tackline and sheets, raise hoist up the sock and sail, and then launch the sail by raising the cover. On a smaller boat, a turtle bag is much more effecient... you go hook everything up... then back to the cockpit and run up the halyard and start trimming . When it's time to douse you can simply release the halyard and tackline and pull the sail back into the cockpit under the boom with the sheet.
I really didn't mean that no one should single-hand an a-spin. And the twist episode wasn't really a bad experience - just another challenge. I don't have any sort of autopilot and would find it extremely difficult to set it without someone steering. I just meant that I personally would not try to fly it without help. (Dang, seems like this thread needs an autopilot.)higgs said:
I love flying my a-spin (with help) and am learning a lot about it. Since I don't race and my lake is fairly small I honestly can't say I needed to buy it. But I'm glad I have it and enjoy the challenge! After reading more about sym-spins, they seem more versatile than I originally thought. But that's another challenge for another life.
I have used an ASIM with a "CHUTESCOOP" for years. It takes away all of the problems associated with raising/lowering.
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxYH6drLLEk
Regards
Bill
Totally agree.
A sock, even on boat larger than 30 ft., adds a LOT of complexity and increases the possibility of entanglement. Fast (raising and lowering) is better than 'complexity'.
Practice with the spinnaker (either type), starting with 'light winds' and working up to normal conditions so that 'everything is well worked out' to prevent 'mishaps' and entanglements.
The asymm has an advantage on a mast head rig because if the rigging is clean of 'sharps', it can be gybed out in front of the boat ... OR through the foretriangle which makes it almost exactly the same as one flies a light weight jib/genoa.
Practice, practice, practice
The newer spinnaker furlers make 'socks' obsolete ... so you dont even have to leave the cockpit.
http://www.romarbv.nl/Bamar technical sheets/rollgen-en.wmv
http://www.romarbv.nl/Romar Bamar Roll Gen.htm
http://vimeo.com/20625528
Those "top down" furlers are so cool....... I want one... Many of them, like the Facnor, I think, require sewing in a torsion line in the luff, which adds to the cost. But they're still reasonably priced for my size boat.
I might even splurge on a retractable bowsprit.....
Somehow the idea of sailing with a reefed spinnaker just doesn't justify messing with the chute in the first place. If you want a smaller headsail, leave the genoa or jib up. That's just me though...... if it works well for you.... cool.
Yes..... yarn or rubber band stoppers to launch and a take down line sewn in to the center of the sail for easy retrievals.
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