I have a 19' Macgregor and want to buy a spinnaker. I have checked with Doyle Sails and they have given me a choice of either a UPS or APC sail. It appears the UPS has better pointing abaility in light winds. What advice would you have for me? Thanks
UPS vs.APC
- Thread starter bill van
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sorry, couldn't help myself.
UPS vs APC
Hi Bill, we have both sails on our 356, and they're both great additions to your boat but very different in what they do. the UPS is basically a cruising code zero, cut like a very fat genoa. by adjusting the tension on the luff it will work well on a close reach, up to about 60 degrees off the wind. easing the luff and sheet makes it sail more like an assym chute, down to about 120 degrees off the wind it's a very forgiving sail, more stable than a chute, and mine is a very light laminate fabric so it flies in very light air, but can be used in brisk breezes. we fly it out of a sock, but you can set it on a furler. The APC is an assymetrical chute that is best from a beam reach to dead downwind, but like all assym chutes it's hard to fly dead downwind because it gets blanketed by the main. it's 3/4 oz nylon, and it takes more work to keep it stable in a sea or shifty winds. It's about 25% larger than the UPS on my boat. Which is better? If I could buy only one, and I were just cruising, I think I'd get the UPS, because it's more useful for a greater range of wind angles and is easier to fly. I'd get the laminate sail, because it's really light and very strong-I've reached past similar boats that were standing still in very light air with the UPS-picture attached
Hi Bill, we have both sails on our 356, and they're both great additions to your boat but very different in what they do. the UPS is basically a cruising code zero, cut like a very fat genoa. by adjusting the tension on the luff it will work well on a close reach, up to about 60 degrees off the wind. easing the luff and sheet makes it sail more like an assym chute, down to about 120 degrees off the wind it's a very forgiving sail, more stable than a chute, and mine is a very light laminate fabric so it flies in very light air, but can be used in brisk breezes. we fly it out of a sock, but you can set it on a furler. The APC is an assymetrical chute that is best from a beam reach to dead downwind, but like all assym chutes it's hard to fly dead downwind because it gets blanketed by the main. it's 3/4 oz nylon, and it takes more work to keep it stable in a sea or shifty winds. It's about 25% larger than the UPS on my boat. Which is better? If I could buy only one, and I were just cruising, I think I'd get the UPS, because it's more useful for a greater range of wind angles and is easier to fly. I'd get the laminate sail, because it's really light and very strong-I've reached past similar boats that were standing still in very light air with the UPS-picture attached
If memory serves me right, UPS stands for
Utility Power Sail, and APC stands for Asymmetrical Power Cruiser. That used to be in the Doyle Sail Advertising brochures. Now, I apologize for diverting out of this thread, but I got interested in Chuck's picture and noticed how the dinghy is carried. Chuck, are you using the same type of brackets that power cruisers use ? If so, are the brackets bolted on the scoop or transom ? I would also like to know what type of brackets you used on the dinghy. Thanks for the info
Utility Power Sail, and APC stands for Asymmetrical Power Cruiser. That used to be in the Doyle Sail Advertising brochures. Now, I apologize for diverting out of this thread, but I got interested in Chuck's picture and noticed how the dinghy is carried. Chuck, are you using the same type of brackets that power cruisers use ? If so, are the brackets bolted on the scoop or transom ? I would also like to know what type of brackets you used on the dinghy. Thanks for the info
dinghy mountng on 356
Hi Claude, actually, it's really simple! the 356 has 2 swim handles on the stern, on either side of the swim ladder. we run a short line from the forward end of the dinghy sideline, thru the swim handles, to the aft end of the sideline. A second, longer line, goes from the top of the pushpit, thru the farside sideline, and then up to the other side of the pushpit. After unloading the dinghy, we simply pull in the farside line, raising the dinghy and securing it across the stern. to deploy, we release the farside line and the dinghy drops into the water,tightly secured across the stern, making it easy to install the outboard and gear.
Hi Claude, actually, it's really simple! the 356 has 2 swim handles on the stern, on either side of the swim ladder. we run a short line from the forward end of the dinghy sideline, thru the swim handles, to the aft end of the sideline. A second, longer line, goes from the top of the pushpit, thru the farside sideline, and then up to the other side of the pushpit. After unloading the dinghy, we simply pull in the farside line, raising the dinghy and securing it across the stern. to deploy, we release the farside line and the dinghy drops into the water,tightly secured across the stern, making it easy to install the outboard and gear.
UPS vs APC
Chuck thanks for your input. Really apprciate it. Think I will contact Doyle and have them give me an estimate Again Thanks
Chuck thanks for your input. Really apprciate it. Think I will contact Doyle and have them give me an estimate Again Thanks
dinghy mountng on 356
Thanks Chuck, I am either going to try something like your set-up using the bottom part of the stern ladder on my 34, or go with a spare halyard if I can clear the bimini. I saw that halyard set-up on a 37 this summer and it was really neat. The dinghy was supported from the transom and the bow with a lifting harness hooked to a shackle on the halyard. Halyard was brought back to the cockpit, allowing use of the winches to raise the dinghy.
Thanks Chuck, I am either going to try something like your set-up using the bottom part of the stern ladder on my 34, or go with a spare halyard if I can clear the bimini. I saw that halyard set-up on a 37 this summer and it was really neat. The dinghy was supported from the transom and the bow with a lifting harness hooked to a shackle on the halyard. Halyard was brought back to the cockpit, allowing use of the winches to raise the dinghy.
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