Can you turn a spinnaker into an asymetric & $$

[brianontheroad]

I've got an old spinnaker, but I don't think I'm going to be using it much -- my partner is fairly inexperienced and I don't think she's going to be up to the task. We're going cruising in Feb, Carribean -- I was thinking about taking my spinnaker to a sailmaker and have it turned into an asymmetric. Is that a major over haul? Or is something a good sailmaker should be able to do fairly easily -- my budget would be anywhere from 400 to < 1000 or is that wishful thinking.

Thanks!
Brian

[CharlieCobra]

No, totally different cut and structure.

[trantor12020]

Since you're cruising and not racing, you can still fly a symm like an asym, use an ATN Tacker to hold the tack to forestay/roller-furler.

[Faster]

A standard Symmetrical spinnaker would not really be effective as a "cruising chute", as Charlie says.

If you're Island hopping in the Eastern Caribbean, the general sails set are a reefed main and small/partial headsail... don't really see the need for a spinnaker of any sort for the most part.

It likely wouldn't be worth your (or the sailmakers') while to try to convert an old spinnaker.

[mikehoyt]

If you are not planning to use the spinnaker you should look for a used Asymmetrical spinnaker and look into selling your current spinnaker and pole. A sysmetrical spinnaker plus spinnaker pole is a costly addition to a boat and there are lots of people on lookout for a used one. By contrast the asym requires no pole and is far less costly to obtain.

If you sell what you have and buy an asym you should come out ahead.

Mike

[sonofasonofasailer456]

look on ebay I see quite few for auction, I actually bought one from ebay 400 with sock good shape. check it out for a week or so .