Do you use your spinnaker?

[Cruiser2B]

I have been told my boat does not sail well in light winds(Alberg 30). I have the opporunity to buy a spinnaker made for my boat(new) for what seems as a good price. I am located in the lower chesapeake and have been told that wind is sometimes hard to find during the summer.
I guess what I am asking is if this is a good desicion? Is there another sail that is easier to fly and move my boat, btw I have never used a spinnaker on any boat. I know that my boat is setup for one. It have a halyard and a spinnaker pole on deck.
I am gonna do my hardest to make this boat sail in all conditions and if a spinnaker would help it go in light air then I will buy it. Just wondering what you all use.

Thanks

[LandLocked66c]

Sounds like if you want to make it go in all conditions then you'll need the spinnaker.

[thehardaground]

A spinnaker won;t make ir go in light air, but it will make it go better downwind in light air.

[JaredC]

Keep in mind that there is more to the rigging than a halyard and a pole... You will want to check all of it thoroughly, the loads on spin gear can get pretty serious.

[Faster]

Flying a spinnaker is a rewarding experience when it goes right, and can be downright terrifying if it doesn't. The key is to learn in the correctly moderate conditions (neither too light nor too heavy), perfect your dousing techniques as a priority to get yourself out of trouble.

But given a long deep run I'd rather run a spinn than run wing on wing any day.You can comfortable run deeper without hassle and with less worry of an accidental gyble..

I would suggest that once you've sorted things out you'll use it enough to make it worthwhile. As has been suggested though, there's a fair bit of hardware and rigging involved if the boat is not already so equipped.

[jackdale]

For ease of handling, a gennaker may be more appropriate. A flatter cut gennaker can point higher than a spinnaker, as much as 60 degree off the wind. It can also be used on a broad reach.

[FoolishMuse]

Until you fly a spinnaker you are not really sailing. Go get it and start having fun.

For some strange reason people seem to be afraid of them. You don't have to use it in a gale like some do, but it is a lot better than white sails in normal conditions.

[carl762]

Haven't tried mine yet. Don't feel I'm ready. This year, I'll sail with the jib and genoa.

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by FoolishMuse

Until you fly a spinnaker you are not really sailing. Go get it and start having fun.

For some strange reason people seem to be afraid of them. You don't have to use it in a gale like some do, but it is a lot better than white sails in normal conditions.

EXACTLY what I was going to post. Nothing to add.

[TQA]

It is quieter than running the engine.