OK - I thought I knew but now I'm not so sure. Can someone explain the difference between the following sails: Asymmetrical spinnaker Asymmetrical reaching spinnaker Cruising spinnaker Gennaker I actually thought they were pretty much different names for the same sail, but know am not so sure.
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All the same
There are different cuts of assymetrical spinnakers, asymmetrical reaching spinnakers, cruising spinnakers, and gennakers, but they all define a downwind sail that is designed to be used without a traditional spinnaker pole. There are a few other names as well, but most people refer to them as gennakers, cruising spinnakers or asymetrical spinnakers. Whew! Trevor
There are different cuts of assymetrical spinnakers, asymmetrical reaching spinnakers, cruising spinnakers, and gennakers, but they all define a downwind sail that is designed to be used without a traditional spinnaker pole. There are a few other names as well, but most people refer to them as gennakers, cruising spinnakers or asymetrical spinnakers. Whew! Trevor
Not all Equal
Not all Asymmetrical spinnakers are created equal. A true Asymmetrical spinnaker is Asymmetric in shape as well as appearance. They have a true Luff, Leech, and Foot, and draft placement depending on design. While all those you inquired about can fall under the heading of Asymetrical Spinnaker, they can be all uniquely different. A Racing Asymmetrical will generally be larger than a Cruising Asymmetrical, but not always. Size can vary on racing spinnakers for the intended wind angle and wind speed. Asymmetrical Spinnakers can be designed for the desired wind angles, ie... Close reaching, Reaching, Running, all Purpose, and VMG. Most race boats carry several different designs. While most Cruising Spinnakers are designed as All Purpose, meaning they are designed for a wide range of wind angles and not for a specific range. But, NOT ALL cruising Spinnakers are true Asymmetricals, some are just symmetrical(to Center line) sails with one edge shorter than the other. A Gennaker, is a generic name for a flatter almost Genoa-like Asymmetrical cruising sail with a straighter luff than a cruising Asymmetrical Spinnaker. I hope this helps clearify things.
Not all Asymmetrical spinnakers are created equal. A true Asymmetrical spinnaker is Asymmetric in shape as well as appearance. They have a true Luff, Leech, and Foot, and draft placement depending on design. While all those you inquired about can fall under the heading of Asymetrical Spinnaker, they can be all uniquely different. A Racing Asymmetrical will generally be larger than a Cruising Asymmetrical, but not always. Size can vary on racing spinnakers for the intended wind angle and wind speed. Asymmetrical Spinnakers can be designed for the desired wind angles, ie... Close reaching, Reaching, Running, all Purpose, and VMG. Most race boats carry several different designs. While most Cruising Spinnakers are designed as All Purpose, meaning they are designed for a wide range of wind angles and not for a specific range. But, NOT ALL cruising Spinnakers are true Asymmetricals, some are just symmetrical(to Center line) sails with one edge shorter than the other. A Gennaker, is a generic name for a flatter almost Genoa-like Asymmetrical cruising sail with a straighter luff than a cruising Asymmetrical Spinnaker. I hope this helps clearify things.
Follow-on to spinnaker question
So, if I wish to obtain an asymetrical spinnaker that allows me to run, what type do I want? I don't want a symmetrical spinnaker because I don't have the crew or patience to deal with the pole and other stuff. However, I'd like to be able to run with the wind better than I can with my main and genoa.
So, if I wish to obtain an asymetrical spinnaker that allows me to run, what type do I want? I don't want a symmetrical spinnaker because I don't have the crew or patience to deal with the pole and other stuff. However, I'd like to be able to run with the wind better than I can with my main and genoa.
Type You Want Depends On What You Want
There are some really good answers to your original question here. Asymetricals are all the same to the extent they don't use a spinnaker pole and there are different designs. The good part is you are learning about the different sails so hopefully you don't buy something you don't need. Some people seem to buy an asymetrical and either don't know or don't care what it was designed for. Buying a new asymetrical is like buying a new pair of shoes, you want something that fits, not a one-size-fits-all. To answer the second question, what type (of asymetrical) you want depends on what you want (to do). What wind angle range and wind range do you want to optomize for? I provided a link to a North Sails page which shows a diagram of different sail designs that the previous posters have talked about. This diagram is by no means all-inclusive, there are other asymetrical designs (cut, cloth, etc.) but by looking at this you should get the idea. The asymetrics are on the left side of the diagram. To supplement the jib with another sail my guess, for sailing shorthanded and based on what you just wrote, the best sail type would be something in the range of the North Sails "2A". This is not a sail for running "dead downwind", for that you have to fly a symetrical, it's an off-the-wind sail so the closest you can fly it would be around 160 degrees apparent (AWA). Hope this helps you to visualize what you need. What do you think? http://na.northsails.com/Racing_Sails/spinnaker_coding.html
There are some really good answers to your original question here. Asymetricals are all the same to the extent they don't use a spinnaker pole and there are different designs. The good part is you are learning about the different sails so hopefully you don't buy something you don't need. Some people seem to buy an asymetrical and either don't know or don't care what it was designed for. Buying a new asymetrical is like buying a new pair of shoes, you want something that fits, not a one-size-fits-all. To answer the second question, what type (of asymetrical) you want depends on what you want (to do). What wind angle range and wind range do you want to optomize for? I provided a link to a North Sails page which shows a diagram of different sail designs that the previous posters have talked about. This diagram is by no means all-inclusive, there are other asymetrical designs (cut, cloth, etc.) but by looking at this you should get the idea. The asymetrics are on the left side of the diagram. To supplement the jib with another sail my guess, for sailing shorthanded and based on what you just wrote, the best sail type would be something in the range of the North Sails "2A". This is not a sail for running "dead downwind", for that you have to fly a symetrical, it's an off-the-wind sail so the closest you can fly it would be around 160 degrees apparent (AWA). Hope this helps you to visualize what you need. What do you think? http://na.northsails.com/Racing_Sails/spinnaker_coding.html
Which Spinnaker
Hi again Dave, Johns Information is good. The best way to get what you need is to discuss your sailing plans with your sail consultant so he can provide you with the sail that best suits your needs, and not the guy down the dock. As I stated before, most cruising Asymmetrical spinnakers are designed as an all purpose shape, because cruisers generally will buy only one sail and this design will cover the widest wind angle range with sufficient performance over the entire range. However, we can design your cruising spinnaker to primarily be a runner. It would be a bit fuller with draft further aft in the sail than the AP. Keep in mind that no asymmetricals are ever truly efficient dead down wind, unless flown from a movable Spinnaker pole, which does away with the idea of ease and convenience. With a Cruising Asymmetrical, I always suggest a dousing Sock for ease of handling.
Hi again Dave, Johns Information is good. The best way to get what you need is to discuss your sailing plans with your sail consultant so he can provide you with the sail that best suits your needs, and not the guy down the dock. As I stated before, most cruising Asymmetrical spinnakers are designed as an all purpose shape, because cruisers generally will buy only one sail and this design will cover the widest wind angle range with sufficient performance over the entire range. However, we can design your cruising spinnaker to primarily be a runner. It would be a bit fuller with draft further aft in the sail than the AP. Keep in mind that no asymmetricals are ever truly efficient dead down wind, unless flown from a movable Spinnaker pole, which does away with the idea of ease and convenience. With a Cruising Asymmetrical, I always suggest a dousing Sock for ease of handling.
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