|
|
|
|
Whether you are out for a weekend sail or have longer passages in mind, the right type and cut of spinnaker can make cruising faster, more comfortable, and more fun. Most boats should carry a full size spinnaker for best performance, but we can supply a reduced-area spinnaker for easier handling in windy conditions or by a short-handed crew.
Conventional or Cruising Chute Spinnakers can be the conventional symmetrical - used with a pole, or asymmetrical - used without a pole. The asymmetrical is normally preferred by cruisers because a spinnaker pole is not necessary to fly this sail, and it is generally known, therefore, as a Cruising Chute. Usually, the Cruising Chute's tack is stropped to the boat's bow fitting and used poleless like a very large genoa; it is best used broad reaching and as tight as 75 degrees to the true wind. The luff of a Cruising Chute is about 15% longer than the leech, and the sail has an airfoil shape. Because it can be used without a pole (secure the tack to the bow), a Cruising Chute is easier to set and douse than a symmetrical spinnaker, however, it is necessary to "tack" downwind (gybe at roughly 90 to 120-degree angles) to fly the sail successfully. A symmetrical spinnaker, (used with a pole) will allow you to sail directly downwind and most racers prefer the 15% larger area of a symmetrical spinnaker. A symmetrical spinnaker has equal-length luffs and does not have an airfoil shape. It should be used with a pole, and for running conditions a symmetrical spinnaker will always outperform an asymmetrical.
Panel Layout Whichever your choice, the sail can be made in any of the three panel layouts (Tri-Radial, Radial Head or Starcut).
(Click on the heading above) Measure your rig's maximum dimensions. Hong Kong SailmakerS' sail designers will make the proper allowances for stretch and hardware.
Cloth Weight and Snuffers For most coastal cruising and weekend sailing, .75 oz fabric is recommended. If your boat is over 40 feet and you plan to carry a spinnaker in breezy conditions, 1.5 oz fabric will have a longer service life than .75 oz fabric. In either case, we recommend the use of a snuffer to make handling the spinnaker easier and safer.
|
|
Send mail to info@sailsuk.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
