Advice re cruising chute

[LORDNELSON]

I am thinking of buying a cruising chute for my rather portly swing-keel cruiser (37 feet long). Have never used one before. Reason for the proposed purchase is to try to improve broad reach/running performance. Any advice or experience greatly appreciated.

 

[petery]

I got a lot of useful advice last month on YM Scuttlebutt - search on cruising chute

 

[steviewhitts]

There has also been a lot of discussion on this (PBO) forum as well. Try searching with "cruising chute" and see what comes up - there is quite a bit as I've just checked. My only experience to date has been a couple of tries with mine which has been great fun if a little tricky to master s/handed. Made quite a difference to performance on my sluggish 22foot b/keeler.
Good luck
Steviewhitts

 

[LORDNELSON]

Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction

 

[ponapay]

Excellent sail for the cruising yachtsman, gives extra speed, can be kept flying even with wind ahead of the beam (BUT NOT reccommended in winds over 10-12 knots).

Also get a snuffer and it will be easily handled by even elderly or solo crew.

Use long sheets so you can gybe it easily (right round the bow). Mine works well and have done many miles happily in winds up to F7 (though not very happily from my wife's point of view at F7).

Even dodging in and out of the Finnish archipelago did not entail dropping it until the wind piped up strong. One day did nearly 55 miles with it up al the time - not in open waters.

PM me if you want more info.

ponapay

 

[Danthegorrila]

We use a cruising shoot a lot, generally sailing two up.
Ponapay is right about having very long sheets and a snuffer although I would say 15' over the deck is quite enough.

Something that no has mentioned is using it with a pole, this keeps it full when blanketed by the main. The pole will need an up haul and downhaul (only 1 down haul is nessessary) and you will not have to have a guy if you want to keep it simple, although it does help if on a long broad reach.

The other thing about cruising shoots is that you can fly them as a spinaker and evenm do it both ways round. I have often started with the cruising shoot as normal and changed the pole side and put on another rope on the tack and flown it as a kite. Its loads of fun will improve sailing no end and is incredably versitile.

Go for it.

PB