flying a spinnaker

[smallboatlover]

so i droped my mast again put the new haylard in for the spinnaker. the sail is brand new never used got it with the boat. so how do i sail this sail? i won't do it by my self. but any tips. with out using a spinnaker pole?

[CalebD]

Without a pole you will only be able to go dead down wind.
With a pole you can actually go a bit to port or stbd. but not that much.
Launch the spinnaker sailing downwind or broad reach using the main sail to blanket the 'kite'.
Once launched don't even think about trying to head up wind until you pull the 'kite' down.
The spinnaker needs constant trimming unlike the main and jib so bring at least 1 person with you.
Good luck.

[Sabreman]

There ere many books on how to properly set up and trim a spinnaker. But online you may try

Spinnaker Setup And Trim – UK-Halsey's Encyclopedia Of Sails

[puddinlegs]

Thanks Sabreman! Young smallboatlover, you need someone to explain google searches for you. Use the force of the internet!

[TQA]

Originally Posted by CalebD

Without a pole you will only be able to go dead down wind.
Good luck.

Is this right ?

I would have thought that assuming you tack one side of the spi to the bow and have the sheet flying free you would need to be running at about 45 degrees to dead down wind to get it to fill.

[genieskip]

A broad reach is the only thing a cruising spinnaker is good for, which is why I'm getting a spinnaker pole. I find asymmetrical only marginally useful when compared to what you can do with the kite on a pole. And while you can't beat with a kite, if you have one that is cut pretty flat you can carry the apparent wind (slightly) forward of the beam. We did it all the time racing in moderate to light winds and went right by the guys staying with their genny. Of course we carried four or five spinnakers so we could carry a flat cut one. No such luxury on my cruising boat.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by CalebD

Without a pole you will only be able to go dead down wind.

Ah, Well, Not Exactly. We fly our Symetric Spinnaker without a pole using an ATN Tacker with a tack line through a turning block at the bow much like we fly our Asymmetric. Both sails are fitted with ATN socks. The launch and retrieval are a bit of a PITA so we only do this when we've got some distance to cover and winds are light (<10 Knt apparent) but it's quite a workable arrangement.

FWIW...

[smallboatlover]

so i can only fly down wind? i though i could sail it almost all the time? i though i could sail it with the boat even on a close haul

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by smallboatlover

so i can only fly down wind? i though i could sail it almost all the time? i though i could sail it with the boat even on a close haul

The only spinnakers that sail "upwind" are flat cut gennakers / asymmetricals that will allow a close reach.

[CalebD]

No. I've been reasonably corrected by others here. You can use the spinnaker to sail across the wind, up to a beam reach or a little further if you are slick. It is going to be harder to do without a pole though.
Your best bet is going to be to get your 16' Mistral out on a light air day and put up the spinnaker and see for yourself. Try going upwind but watch out for getting blown over or broached.
What svHyLyte is suggesting (I believe) is that you can use the spinnaker as if it were a huge jib by attaching/rigging one of the lower corners near the bow. This would be pretty easy if you had a pole.