To 'chute' or not to 'chute'....comments?

[Miller]

I'm considering a Cruising Spinnaker for my 272/1987 to maybe pick up some speed...lol...but seriously folks....anyone added one and what were your results, concerns, problems and recommendations. Thanks in advance.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

I'm adding one

Last summer I was sailing my C25 down wind home from Portland. Wing on wind, tensions off, sails full everything grooving, fair bottom, fair keel, and got passed easily by another C25 flying a chute. Sold.I will probably go wtih Doyle's APC. If not, I'll choose another asym chute. I have no interest in having to have crew in order to use it and I like the ability to come up wind with it. I plan to fly it outside the headstay, with the lazy sheet around the outside to simplify jibing it. Things to think about - make sure your rig is in good shape. Spinnakers can put a tremendous amount of force on the rig in puffs and shock loads with they fill. While these should never be excessive, the risk is there, so make sure your rig is solid. Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[david lewis]

CHutes or no chutes

Justin,I just received my asymetrical chute kit from sailrite and I found out I need number 12 needles so I ordered them and when they get here I will construct my asymetrical chute.You should consider a sailrite kit for a few bucks savings and for fun projects in the freezing cold winter in maine.I agree with you I have been passed downwind wing and wing in my 35 by 29's flying chutes like I was standing still.

 

[Brian Jarchow]

Do it. Do it NOW

After you have used a cruising spinnaker you will never want to go back.One word of caution is to make sure you have a spinnaker halyard or someplace on top of the mast to install one. Spinnakers (both types) will produce significant lateral strain on the halyard, something that the jib halyard setup may not be set up to handle. I have seen people hoist a spinnaker on the jib halyard only to have the halyard jam on the mast requiring somebody to go up the mast before the chute can come down.

 

[Bob]

Chute

There should be a bail on the masthead forward of the headstay. That is where your spinnaker halyard block goes. Remember, spinnakers (including cruising chutes) have to attach and fly forward of the headstay. Beentheredonethat many times.Cheers,Bob3 weeks till splashdown!

 

[Don Perry]

Go ahead chute

I have a spinnaker on my 87 272 and find it very useful. It can make a day of poor wind into a pleasent sailing afternoon as well as run you down the lake at a good clip on a breezey day.I also have a Chute Scoop to control the sail while setting and dropping which I find to be a safe way to deal with a large slippery sail.Besides your a sailor and your suppose to spend as much money possible on your boat.Good Luck,Don