What is your downwind schema ?

[negrini]

Guys, I'm considering an asymmetric chute for my cruising boat. I had symmetric before, but too complex/heavy to handle with family aboard, and had an asymmetric recently but was very frustrated with shape/cut/performance. When searching web, NorthSails and Quantum come with best argues and explanations. My case is a downwind sail, a 43 feet cruising boat, and would like eventual broad reach. What is your experience on a multipurpose gennaker, what is your gear (pole/no-pole), handling schema ? Any insight and/or consideration is appreciated. Thanks !

[Plumper]

I have an older downwind sail made by Doyle called a spanker. It is basically an assym spin with two hanks (one top and one bottom). It pulls like a locomotive and I can use it from almost dead downwind through to about 75 degrees apparent. No pole, easy to set and douse (because of the two hanks). I love it.

[Ilenart]

Negrini,

the May 2008 edition of Cruising World has a section called "off the wind sailing". Four articles on downwind sailing including setups for a Pearson 30, Tayana 37 and a Hanse 430e. Also an interesting article by Beth Leonard on removable furlers for a twin headsail or code 0 reacher.

[sailingdog]

I have a screacher on a wire luff furler. No pole needed since I've also got an 18' wide beam.

[Sailormon6]

I have an asym with a snuffer, and used them for the first time last weekend. I used the Cruising World articles to figure out how to rig and fly it, and the boat moved beautifully in very little wind and an almost flat calm Bay. When I reached up, it really pulled! I can see, however, that, because it's so powerful, I'm going to have to be careful to take it down when the wind pipes up, but that's a good thing, right?

[HerbDB]

My cruising chute is made by Quantum. They call it a Heavy Reacher. You can see it flying in the picture.

I fly it inside off a spare jib halyard, just like I would a jib. This is controversial, but there is a method to my maddness. I have a ATN sock for it. To gybe, I douse it with the sock, turn the boat and reinflate on the other side. Because I am flying it inside the forestay, I don't have to worry about getting the sail around the forestay or having a sheet foul on the anchor or bow pulpit.

This makes handling easy as long as you are careful to make sure the lines are run properly. Hoist it in the sock and when your are sure it is correct, inflate.

I often fly it by itself, but if I have the main out, I use a preventer to tie the main down. My boat will make 6-7 knots downwind with less than 10 knots of wind under spinnaker alone.

[donradclife]

Depends on where you are sailing and the size of your boat and your crew, but most single or doublehanders almost NEVER use a chute. I've carried on around the world and used it less than 10 times. Speed is not everything, and doesn't justify the risks taken with a tired, shorthanded crew.

Save your money, unless cruising to you means daysailing with friends.

[negrini]

Don, I used to act that way too, but considering new technology (Gyros, wind tunnel, socks, hull design, and so on ...) I believe combined with new practices and recent knowledge, the old traditional downwind scenario should have changed dramatically. Although we're convict cruisers, we must admit speed is many times wise, safe and almost always, fun. I do respect old tradition and understand your point, but I'm also ready to the new ...

[sailingdog]

Don-

There's a big difference between trying to fly an asymmetric cruising spinnaker versus trying to fly a symmetrical spinnaker.

[hphoen]

I bought an asymmetric spinnaker because I was tired of going slow off the wind in light conditions, and, boy, am I glad I did! That sail is FUN!!!

I usually sail single-handed (my wife has a bad back and can't help out in the boat handling department). The sail came with an ATN snuffer sock, which is essential for single-handing--makes the sail easy to control. I also use the ATN tacker to help with adjusting the tack height for good sail shape at different points of sail. Mine was made out of 1.5 ounce Nylon by AirForce Sails.

After a little practice with friends on board as crew, I found that I could easily handle it by myself, including setting, gybing it outside the forestay, and dousing it. I use my autopilot to drive the boat. The spinnaker stays filled from about 80 degrees to about 140 degrees apparent wind, and sails from 5 kts to about 15+ kts, true windspeed. I don't use a pole with it, but know someone who does, and set it up like a symmetric spinnaker for DDW sailing. I'm not sure I'd try that, myself.

Go for it!