What chute is best?

[Rick Tenan]

Dear Doyle Sails:I have Doyle sails on my Mac 26-S. They work well and have provided quality power for the boat. I am thinking of adding a chute to the rig to provide some light air and downwind performance boost.What kind of spinnaker or spinnaker-like sail is a good compromise between ease of use and performance? I currently have a 115% roller-furling genny. I'd like to use the genny +plus+ the new sail, resulting in a three-sail rig. I'd also like the option of furling the genny and leaving the chute up.Thanks, Rick Tenans/v DevOcean

 

[David Foster]

We use a Doyle APC and sock

together with a a partial full batten main, and 110 jib on our h27. I'm convinced this is the optimal cruising configuration because of the ease of shifting from light air (spinnaker) to heavy air (110) headsail while shorthanded.It's also showing up on more and more of the racing designs.The Doyle sails on this site are the same as I have, and are excellent sails at a reasonable price. But I prefer having a local sailmaker who can visit my boat and evaluate the sail condition, and possibilities with us, and then provide service and support as time goes on.If you have the possibility (as we do in Cleveland) then spend some time evaluating the different available sailmakers, because I'm convinced that North or UK could also do the job.DavidLAdy Lillie

 

[Tim Stodola]

What Chute

Hi Rick, welcome to the Doyle Sailmakers Forum.The Doyle APC is a popular sail, and well received judging by the responses here.But, You may be interested i anoter sail we offer called the UPS. The UPS is smaller than the APC, but it is a bit more versatile. It has an integral luff line that acts as it's own stay, and is attached to a small Free-luff Furler.This allows you to furl the sail to tack, jibe, or douse, in lieu of a sock. And this can be done from the cockpit.You can see more about this sail as well as the Doyle APC at www.doylesails.com , click cruising under the heading "sails" on the left side of the screen, then click under Spinnakers.You can also contact me directly at:timstodola@doyleplochsails.com