cruising chute or spinnaker ? That is the question.

[Guest]

Thinking of buying a cruising chute for my Moody 31 but have no experience of this sail. Done plenty of sailing and I know all about spinnakers ( although I don't have one ) but thought that the cruising chute might be a good compromise for cruising. I know they are generally fixed at the tack and used as a sort of light genny when reaching but can they also can be poled out from the clew, and with the tack let loose to fly something like a spinnaker ? Also ..... what is the highest point of sailing that a cruising chute can be set ? Any fans of cruising chutes out there ...... or should I just go for a spinnaker ( Unfortunately I can't afford both ! ).

 

[Guest]

I have a 34ft Cat and a cruising chute which I handle on my own with the help of the autopilot. You can pole them out just like a spinnaker but you dont have to. On a dead run it is better to come up to get the speed and tack downwind. My Chute gets to about 70Deg. They are generally very easy to handle especially with a sock. All you have to worry about is a sheet and a tack downhaul which you loosen the further downwind you go. It is important to be able to run your downhaul back to the cockpit so you can adjust at the same time as your sheet. You cannot come about but jibe letting go on one sheet and hauling in in the other, round the front of your forestay. Tame it all with the sock and let it down into your forehatch. Simple really. I would not bother with a pole. One complication less. Good Luck

 

[Guest]

I have never owned a cruising shute but would imagine them to be easier when shorthanded.A chap at our club has one which is cut flat enough to go to windward with in light airs.In these conditions he outsails everyone despite being a traditional long keeled boat(Albin Vega).

 

[Guest]

I love the exitement of flying a spinaker and running down the swells, however, if not in a full on race it's hard to beat the ease of handling and control a cruising chute provides.

May the wind the blow in the direction your heading...

 

[Guest]

I have a cruising chute. It is indeed easier for a short handed (single handed) crew to handle and is absolutely perfect for shallow tacks downwind. You could think of it like a giant light air genoa. However, I find it difficult to believe - as the last poster suggests - you could mak to windward with it. Broad reach is about as good as it gets. As someone else suggests you don't need the pole - but then if you're sailing downwind in light airs you'll want it. Good luck

 

[Guest]

I've used both in various boats I've owned. With a 31' boat you're at the limits of what I would call acceptable for a spinnaker assuming a crew of only 2 on board. A spinnaker will set better dead downwind but of course it's a bit more fiddly to set up. I'm in the process of buying a 36' boat and am not going to use a spinnaker but will order a cruising chute/gennaker with a snuffer. The reason being ease of use. Being a mostly dedicated cruiser I'm not too bothered about sailing dead downwind and I'm quite happy to make large broad downwind tacks in light airs - you don't actually go much slower as you're actual boat speed is faster.

 

[Guest]

Pole for Crusing Chute

Is the pole for a cruising chute longer than one for a normal Spinnaker?

 

[Guest]

Re: Pole for Crusing Chute

You can use a telescopic one.

 

[Guest]

I have a Moody 31 and a cruising chute. I have always regretted not getting a spinnaker instead.

I pole it out but it is not as efficient as a spinnaker except perhaps when the wind is on the beam, force 2-3. It ends up being more fiddly than a spinnaker due to it not being symmetrical. A spinnaker is more controllable as I would have it set with at least a downhaul on each tack. You can have a guy and a sheet if you wish if you are racing. The chute is more difficult to get down without it going in the water as the clew is higher than the tack.

A cruising chute is difficult to gybe unless you have a very long sheet going round outside the forestay.

Hope this helps.

NickB

 

[Guest]

I have a Moody29 with a chute.Works o.k. and downwind goose wings with a pole of length 1.5J.

 

[Guest]

I agree with Nick about the spinnaker. I have always used spinnakers but last year, having bought a used Gib'sea and sailing with the family decided on a chute. I hate it and would gladly swap for a spinnaker. The chute won't set well when the wind is aft of the beam and needs a pole on the run. I'ts no easier than a spinnaker to fly and recover (I think a lot of people don't know how to set and recover a spinnaker and hence their bad name). The only thing the chute is good at is close reaching in light air.