cruising chute

[emnick]

Hi all, we have a cruising chute with a snuffer, just me and SWMBO aboard, any tips on best way to use it (up to what point on the wind is considered safe), rig it etc , we have a spinnaker halyard, not sure how to connect tack, should another halyard be rigged back to cockpit so as it can be adjusted. Thanks

 

[MoodySabre]

I just have a strop attached to a cleat up front that goes round the bowroller and has a snapshackle onto the tack . This is set just above the pulpit. Many will recommend a tackline that comes back the cockpit so you can fiddle with it (oh sorry - trim the sail better).

I use my chute two-handed with an incompetent crew. Run the sheet outside everything back to a block fairly aft (which you presumably have) and then forward to the winch. Roll the genoa away, pull up the snuffer and boff! off you go. Still makes me smile.
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I haven't tested it but winds up to 15 knots seem to about it from almost dead run to just forward of beam.

The experts will be along soon - I just stuck mine up to see what would happen and have taken it from there.

 

[lw395]

I'm with moodtysabre, try it out! I tend to leave the genoa set until the kite is flying, that stops the kite going inside the forestay.
Un-snuff it with apparent wind about 20-30 degrees off the stern, any lower it will be too blanketed probably. How high you can head up depends on boat and windspeed, but in general, try gently heading up until the boat feels well powered. If it feels overpowered, bear away. The helm is the main power control! As a relative beginner, don't set the kite unless you have plenty of space to bear away into! Use your speedo/log to find the best points of sailing.
Don't worry about gybing it to start with, just snuff it and move the sheet to the other side.
In light weather, the kite will set with the wind well forward of the beam, but it may not be helping much.
Be aware that these sails can find a lot of power in relatively light winds, so keep turns on the winch and wear gloves. But these sails can really make downwind enjoyable in light airs.

 

[Appleyard]

We use a choute 2 handed and and rigged it as follows:
A tack fron a forward cleat via a short bowsprit (made from s/s tube) with a snapshackle.
2 sheets from the clew,snapshackle at each business end,led round a block to the winches.
To set..lay out the sheets and tack in position.Hoist the chute,clip on the tack and appropriate sheet and unsnuff. Away she goes!
To gybe ( or should this be wear?) the boat,Snuff the chute,unclip the sheet from the clew,walk the chute round the forestay ,clip on the new sheet ,unsnuff and off you go!
We have found that this method means that the sheets and tack can be prepared ready before the chute is hoisted,and are less likely to get tangled in the snuffer. It also means that you don't need very long sheets which can get in the water& round the prop?
Haven't tried IW395's idea of leaving the genny up ,but will give it a go. As Moodysabre says,the experts will no doubt have much to say on this subject ,but the above method works perfectly for us. We would also second the recommendation re wearing gloves!!!!

 

[alan17]

I am new to using a cruising chute and I use it singlehanded from a snuffer.
I rig tack strop across anchor roller to samson post. I use 2 sheets and last weekend sucessfully gybed the chute.
Very interested in jamesmar and short bowsprit as I was thinking of doing the same. What diameter tube and how long.
I need to do similar to avoid possibility of sheet getting under bow light whilst gybing.

 

[Gwylan]

Get a competent chum to come and have a practice, before HID is let loose on it.
Great fun, took me 2 years to get it out of the locker - first time was colourful and tense.
Use the Genoa and or main to shield it, then un snuff, then put Genoa or main away.
Gybing is part 2 of a 1 part course.

Start the engine snuff the sail, walk the lines to the other side. Motor gybe and un snuff the sail.

Above 15 knots put it away whilst you can - good reason for lines back to the cockpit - you can put it away in the cockpit. A monster amount of sail with a will of it's own. Can get out of hand.... how do I know this?

Do all of this out of sight of experts and with lots of sea room. Be amazed at the turn of speed you can reach whilst flying it.