Which sail?

[frank balcer]

Just purchased a 37 foot sloop. Comes with a symetrical and an asymetrical spinaker. Never flew asymetrical before and limited time flying symetrical. For sailing with just me and my 21 year old son for day sails which one would be easier to fly?? Thanks all in advance.......frank

 

[Warren Milberg]

The ASM would be a clear first choice for me. A symetrical only makes sense if you are racing (and have the crew to handle it) or you are cruising long distances downwind.

 

[RobertLangdirect]

I agree with Warren, based on my experience, that is to say, I find flying the ASM easier and more forgiving than the SM.

The ASM will be tacked on center, at the top and bottom with only the far outside end free or on the pole. It is, in a sense, an oversized jib, or a drifter with a big belly.

But sweet that you have both!

 

[alexco38]

Sym spinnaker

Don't give it up. You'll love it when you know how to fly it "elegantly". We had it for 4 years before building up enough motivation to learn it. Now we always use it.

Two of us fly it all the time. One at the helm with AP assisting. One at the fore-deck.

You can do reach (90 app) to almost dead downwind (160-170 app).

See picture; with 3 kt app wind we were doing 2.4 kt. Try that with just a jib or a Asym.

It's nice to arrive (at least 2 beers) earlier than the rest of the pack when cruising

 

[alexco38]

Red Sym Spinnaker

A frontal pic

 

[Deadline]

email me for an inexpensive DIY bowsprit and how to rig the ASM sheets and tack. bodonovan@vagazette.com

 

[Joe]

For just the two of you the Asym will be easier to handle... at the beginning. However, once you become confident with the gennaker....my bet is you'll want to play with pole and symetrical...... practice at the dock.... it's very rewarding to fly that big chute.. You may sail with extra crew occasionally and it would be fun to put them to work .... let your son work the foredeck say, while you direct traffic in the cockpit.