asymmetrical spinnaker info requested

[don]

We sail our '79 382 on the west coast of Florida in a lot of
light air. I've decided I need a cruising spinnaker. I've never
used one and would appreciate anything you might be able to tell
me. Our boat has some spinnaker gear (pole, mast track, a block
out on the end of the anchor roller) but no turning blocks aft
for sheets. If any of you use an asymmetrical, I'd like to know
how it's all set up. Also, cloth weights, construction type,
sailmakers to use or avoid, etc.

 

[aurora2]

I would recommend the ATN furler slide for the floating tack. The padeye is forward of the anchor locker on the bulwark. The controlling line is lead aft opposite the furling line. It is run through a rope clutch as is the furling line. This allows control via the winch for either the furler or the floating tack. The sheets are 1/4 - 3/8 line sized to gibe the chute forward of the forestay. These are run through blocks outbd. of the lifelines. No pole is needed, and the main is optional.

 

[aurora]

Jack: We carry five spinnakers, two of which are in the asymetrical class. The follow up by "Jim" seemed a trifle complicated for a cruising chute. I have a cruising chute in a spinnaker sock or "snuffer", they are wonderful for handling the sail in a cruising mode because one man is all that is needed to hoist and take down. In any event I run my cruising chute as follows: put a short lanyard at the tack of the sail with at least one simple loop tied into it. You can put a second loop in half way up the lanyard if you decide to fly the sail closer to the tack schackle. Anyway, hook the lanyard to the tack either at the available shackle or if you have roller furling add a second tack shackle and put the loop in that. Make sure the lanyard is inside the bow pulpit so that in the event you do want to tack or jibe the sail will move freely from one side to the other without becoming involved with the pulpit. In light air 1/4 or 3/8 line is sufficient for sheets. You need two snap shackles for turning at the aft end of the boat. Run the sheets outside all rigging to the snap shackles thence forward to a winch, size 40 or larger. Also make sure that the windward sheet is fead forward of the forestay if you tack and jibe the sail forward of the stay. Some people tack them like any normal headsail, but you do run risks having the sail jam up in the spreaders. For really light air sailing I would go not more than .6 ounce material. Otherwise, go for just a normal 3/4 ounce material.Good Luck.

 

[aurora]

Jack: Incidentally, there is a large difference between what are popularly called "cruising spinnakers" and a true asymetrical spinnaker. The "cruisers" are smaller cut at the foot of the sail and have less sq. ft. The asymetricals that are in use today for racing are considerably larger and are easier to fly if a spinnaker pole is used. You can fly them "free" from an adjustable tack line without the pole but they are harder to handle because of size. Good example is the new "J Boats" with their built in adjustable poles. See the 120 J etc.

 

[buddy]

<div>Jim, Thanks for this informative description. It will help me as I outfit my "new" boat. We are buying "Southern Breeze" currently in Charleston, SC and will be bringing her down to Jacksonville, FL in a couple of weeks.I plan to join the M38 organization and have really found this board a great help in leading us, Marie and I, to our decision to get a Morgan. Thanks to all the posters for their help and to Lenny for running the show.Bob
</div>

 

[balthazor]

I have an old but good condition UK Flasher, I think it is. I use a big whisker pole with it (with a topping lift) so I can sail dead downwind. The pole is an Amco line control, up to 27 feet, which is very heavy and probably more than I really needed. I think I would get something slightly smaller (and less expensive) if I had to do it over again. Also, you want to run everything forward of the headstay; to jibe, you let it fly out in front of you (I am told; that never works for me and so I sock it and then reraise it on the other tack.) Also, consider having a tackle to raise and lower the tack, depending on the angle of the wind. I have not done this yet, but did no my previous boat and it is a good idea. A good cruising chute is a joy. I would recommend a "sock" too. I can pretty well use mine even single handing with some effort. The things are best, of course, in light winds on a reach and then they make all the difference in the world. I do not know the weight of mine, but a suppose it is an ounce and a half. A good sailmaker should be helpful, given your needs.

 

[aistqm]

Terry. What sort of a halyard arrangement (i.e., internal/external) do you use? If external, where and how is the block attached? Thanks.

 

[balthazor]

I use an external halyard. there is a "crane" (u-shaped rod projecting forward and sideways slightly from the mast head) welded to the top of the mast, above the jib halyard entrance, and a block hangs from the crane--in other words, the typical halyard arrangement for a standard spinnaker. Many boats have them.