Spinnaker...

[Stevyboy]

So I'm new to sailing for all that don't know and I feel like I've done welling mastering my mainsail and jib, but my boat also came with a Spinnaker and I'd really like to learn how to fly it. The boat itself is a 1973 Cal 27. It seems as though the boat is all set up for the sail but I'm not sure how to run the lines. Again I'm new to sailing so if anyone does give me some information can you guys be a little easy on me with the sailor lingo. haha.

Hopefully this helps me.

If you guys need more information please just ask.


Steve

P.S. I'd like a good website to learn from or a video i can find online..

[sailingdog]

Stevyboy-

Is the spinnaker an asymmetrical or a symmetrical design? Do you have a spinnaker pole? Do you have crew? Do you have four lines for the chute? Flying a symmetrical spinnaker without experience or crew is a tough thing to do.

[Freesail99]

Flying a spinnakar is just to hard to do singlehanded. Nice sailing if you have the crew.

[hphoen]

Try a little Googling...

WYC Spinnaker Manual

SAILjazz - Sail Handling

spinnaker.htm" target="_blank"> Spinnaker How-To

Spinnaker Handling - hoisting, lowering and gybing crew drills

[sanctuarysam]

you'll need a guy and sheet on each clew
actually, i think you only need one pole guy, that is moved to the windward side when you gybe.

North Video Player
the north series helps you rig and deploy/retrieve the asymm.
hope this helps

[Faster]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Stevyboy-

.... Do you have four lines for the chute? If it is a symmetrical spinnaker, you'll need a guy and sheet on each clew. .....

You don't really see double sheets and guys on a spinnaker until the boat is getting close to 40 feet, or the boat has been set up with a "dip pole" gybing arrangement.

On a Cal 27 with a symm chute there will undoubtedly be a end-for-end pole, and single sheet/guy off each clew.

The links posted above should be very helpful, Stevyboy.

[sailingdog]

Most of my spinnaker experience is from when I was an OPBYC member and on larger boats.

Originally Posted by Faster

You don't really see double sheets and guys on a spinnaker until the boat is getting close to 40 feet, or the boat has been set up with a "dip pole" gybing arrangement.

On a Cal 27 with a symm chute there will undoubtedly be a end-for-end pole, and single sheet/guy off each clew.

The links posted above should be very helpful, Stevyboy.

[NOLAsailing]

If you want to learn to fly a spin well, go racing with an experienced boat.

Also, don't forget to adjust your main to accomodate the point of sail. Your boom should be roughly on the same plane as your spin pole (that's a general guide). A lot of novices will focus only on the spinnaker while their main does nothing.

[merlin2375]

having flown a spinnaker 4 times, I doubt you'll be able to just figure it out. It can be complex to get it up in the air. If you don't want to go racing with an experienced crew, you might consider hiring a captain to go out with you for a day and help you figure it out.

It's not just launching it, it's flying it, and it's not just flying it, it's dousing it as well. All of which can be a pain.

[Sabre66]

Once you feel you have a good understanding of how to handle the chute practice in fairly light air.
It may help if you "band' the chute the first few times you fly it. Get 4 fairly light rubber bands that fit around the chute loosely and as you pack the chute slide the bands over it starting about 4' up from the clews evenly spaced up to the head. Depending on wind speed this will keep the chute from opening until its at full hoist. Ive also seen this done with strong thread.
on a 27' you wont need to do this once you get the hang of things. On bigger boats they sometimes keep an old bucket with the bottom cut out loaded with rubber bands. As they pack the chute they run it through the bucket and slide a band off here and there, especially used in heavy air.

Note: in the light stuff you may need to break the bottom band to help fill the chute the others should break away.