chute, kite: how do you tell?

[TiggerToo]

The previous post got me wondering. Can anyone explain to me how to tell whether the spinnaker that is on Tigger (which we fly as often as we can - probably 6-7 times last season) is a "chute" or a "kite"? Or what is it? I know it is slightly asymmetric, but not markedly so. Any idea?

 

[FullCircle]

Tig,
the chute is attached to the deck (tack) and flies without a spinnaker pole normally. It looks like a giant genoa. Can be operated with just one sheet, and can be tacked downwind
The kite is attached to a pole, and is flown by sheets and guys, no attachment to the deck (except the pole downhaul really.

 

[AIDY]

Obviosly the shape... but do you have a picture you can upload...

the other way of telling you might have markings in the corner clew tack for a chute. or the edges of the sail, my kite got ports and starboard tape down the sides. on the chute i only have this on one edge green one side red the other the rest is white tape.

 

[AIDY]

true.... but you can fly chute using a pole ! spose it depends if he is using a pole with it at the moment.

 

[Twister_Ken]

A spinnaker (kite) is symmetric and is only ever flown from a pole (unless by accident or ignorance).

 

[AIDY]

true...... but if you aint got a kite but you have a pole a chute it works.... i did this for a few years until i bought a kite.

 

[Koeketiene]

To save you unpacking the thing.

Find the "ends" - you will have a "top end" and two "bottom ends".
If the bottom ends are marked red & green -> it's a kite
If the bottom ends are marked tack & clew -> it's a chute

 

[moondancer]

Our spinnaker has resembled a true kite on many occasions, in one moment's incompetance flying about 50 yards from the boat connected to the mast only by the end of the halyard. I think we ended up sailing in circles during the race to try to retrieve it.
A chute or asymetric is a bit more relaxed and less likely to get in to trouble.

 

[bigwow]

What do I call the thing I fly then? it's got no pole but has 2 sheets and 2 guys and is attached to a block on each bow 19 feet apart.

 

[Twister_Ken]

It has pole, just that you call it a crossbeam.

 

[TiggerToo]

this is the best answer. It is a chute then- we also use the pole but one set of sheets only. A hybrid, I suppose. Still it works, it is fun, and we use it. We get overpowered when it blows more than 18kn, but we are only a family boat after all.

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]
but we are only a family boat after all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nothing wrong with that - best sailing there is
(family boat too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[Danny Jo]

A spinnaker:

Another spinnaker:

A man trying to decide what a spinnaker is:

 

[TiggerToo]

A chute a-la-Guapa, with one sheet per clew/tack but with a pole help set it properly with the wind from behind

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Assymetric (Chute)

 

[Helina]

[ QUOTE ]
Tig,
The kite is attached to a pole, and is flown by sheets and guys, no attachment to the deck (except the pole downhaul really.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey,
that's valid only with monohulls , multihulls do without the pole.

KISS /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif