Question on a used Spinnaker for a 222 O'Day

[Charlie R]

I.m looking to find a used Spinnaker for my new to me 222 O'Day. One of the new sail Mfgs tell me that the luff should be 22'. I have a 7/8ths fractional rig with the halyard at the very top and forward. Besides that, the sail billows so can I think that a luff of 24' should also work. Wouldn't this be considered a light breeze spinaker vrs: let say a 20' luff one or less being used for heavy weather? Any spinnaker guys out there.?

Charlie R
Western basin of Lake Erie

[sailingfool]

Refer to http://www.usedsails.com/measuring.htm for guidance to confirm the sailmaker's luff length. Whatever the standard length is, don't go over it as you may find the spinnaker difficult to trim/fly - the foot will tend to catch on the bow. Boats with multiple spinnakers will have them all the same size, they vary by weight, typically .5, .75 and 1.5 (light, all purpose and heavy). A "chicken" spinnaker will have heaver weight AND smaller dimensions. Don't get an undersize spinnaker either, or the sail won't provide the value or fun that it should...

Good luck.