Crusing Chute Snuffer

[Cheeky Girl]

Hi
Looking for recommendations for a snuffer manufacturer.

The current snuffer I have has a large plastic? mouth, which makes the chute very unwieldly and hard to get in and out of the locker.

Any recommendations greatly appreciated

Graham

 

[Boathook]

Mine has quite a large grp mouth. I suspect that anything other than a smooth rounded surface wouldn't work very well.

I do remember seeing an article years ago where the mouth used a bucket. I suspect that all you can do is approach sailmakers and see what they suggest.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Being really cheeky, have you considered not using a snuffer?
A snuffer is only a way to manage a spinnaker that isn’t being set/lowered in a conventional manner. It’s a compromise. We’ve never had any problems not using one. Have you considered some spinnaker training instead?

 

[boomerangben]

Being really cheeky, have you considered not using a snuffer?
A snuffer is only a way to manage a spinnaker that isn’t being set/lowered in a conventional manner. It’s a compromise. We’ve never had any problems not using one. Have you considered some spinnaker training instead?

Done conventional spinnaker drops but have wondered how people do it singlehanded. Are they using snuffers or is there a different way with only one pair of hands?

 

[michael_w]

Snuffers are more trouble than they are worth IMHO.

Short handed drop (aka letterbox dowse) goes like this:
Prepare the guy for running out.
Lead the lazy guy over the boom and through the gap made by the loose footed mainsail and make fast onto something.
Chuck the halyard overboard so it trails behind the boat. This might need experimentation, an old boat of mine required a rag tied to the stopper knot to induce a bit of drag,
At some stage, hoist or unfurl the jib.
Bear away onto a deep run, so the kite is hidden by the mainsail.
Blow the guy and halyard in quick succession.
Gather the sail with the lazy guy and stuff bown the companionway,
Tidy up and open a beer.
Putting the kettle on is not recommended with the spinnaker all over the saloon.

 

[Sandy]

Hi
Looking for recommendations for a snuffer manufacturer.

The current snuffer I have has a large plastic? mouth, which makes the chute very unwieldly and hard to get in and out of the locker.

Any recommendations greatly appreciated

Graham

Have a chat with your sailmakers. They should be able to make one for you.

 

[Sandy]

Being really cheeky, have you considered not using a snuffer?
A snuffer is only a way to manage a spinnaker that isn’t being set/lowered in a conventional manner. It’s a compromise. We’ve never had any problems not using one. Have you considered some spinnaker training instead?

I am all ears on how to manage a spinnaker single handed.

 

[Hermit]

Snuffers are more trouble than they are worth IMHO.

Short handed drop (aka letterbox dowse) goes like this:
Prepare the guy for running out.
Lead the lazy guy over the boom and through the gap made by the loose footed mainsail and make fast onto something.
Chuck the halyard overboard so it trails behind the boat. This might need experimentation, an old boat of mine required a rag tied to the stopper knot to induce a bit of drag,
At some stage, hoist or unfurl the jib.
Bear away onto a deep run, so the kite is hidden by the mainsail.
Blow the guy and halyard in quick succession.
Gather the sail with the lazy guy and stuff bown the companionway,
Tidy up and open a beer.
Putting the kettle on is not recommended with the spinnaker all over the saloon.

And then spend ages sorting it all out and repacking it (without the benefit of a nice cup of tea).

Or just stuff the snuffer in a bag and stow it

 

[RupertW]

And then spend ages sorting it all out and repacking it (without the benefit of a nice cup of tea).

Or just stuff the snuffer in a bag and stow it

Exactly - and we don’t have anything down below that might have salt on it - with the exception alas of waterproofs which have their own cupboard near the hatch.
Snuffer is not the slightest trouble once you’ve practiced unpacking it from bag without twisting the ropes around each other.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Snuffers are more trouble than they are worth IMHO.

Short handed drop (aka letterbox dowse) goes like this:
Prepare the guy for running out.
Lead the lazy guy over the boom and through the gap made by the loose footed mainsail and make fast onto something.
Chuck the halyard overboard so it trails behind the boat. This might need experimentation, an old boat of mine required a rag tied to the stopper knot to induce a bit of drag,
At some stage, hoist or unfurl the jib.
Bear away onto a deep run, so the kite is hidden by the mainsail.
Blow the guy and halyard in quick succession.
Gather the sail with the lazy guy and stuff bown the companionway,
Tidy up and open a beer.
Putting the kettle on is not recommended with the spinnaker all over the saloon.

And if your halyard is at the mast and you don't have a loose footed main?
I love my snuffer.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We are debating the same question. That or a top down furler, but those are significantly more expensive. Our kite is s handful with 2 of us. Or perhaps more correctly we lack the practice and it worries us. And being a tri, theres a bit less room for error.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

We are debating the same question. That or a top down furler, but those are significantly more expensive. Our kite is s handful with 2 of us. Or perhaps more correctly we lack the practice and it worries us. And being a tri, theres a bit less room for error.

I guess you use Asymmetric Sails? either a snuffer or furler will make it a one man job.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We do indeed, from the end of a 4ft sprit. This idea of putting the lazy sheet through the letter box is unappealing. It still requires a trip onto the lee trampoline. The clew of the sail is about 15 ft from the helmsman, outboard of the lee shroud.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

if you've got the cash a furler must surely be the way. Leave it hoisted and furl and unfurl at will. With a snuffer you will have to lower it and stick it in a bag.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

There is that. Once it’s inside a snuffer, it’s easy to deal with, but that’s still the wettest place on the boat. We’d probably still lower the furled sail, but could pick our time. Plus of course we’d look as fancy as a MOD 70?

 

[Keith 66]

We have a snuffer on our sabre with a conventional large spinnaker, no idea what make but it has a sizable flexible plastic cone, it works well about twice. After that the downhaul line & chute itself are liable to get twisted up insde the snuffer. That means each launch after that is liable to go pear shaped.
If we intend to use it we normally lay it out on the grass near the mooring & repack carefully untwisted.

 

[fredrussell]

if you've got the cash a furler must surely be the way. Leave it hoisted and furl and unfurl at will.

…Do people leave their furled chutes permanently up in place all season then? I had always assumed the whole shebang was only hoisted prior to use.

 

[mattnj]

…Do people leave their furled chutes permanently up in place all season then? I had always assumed the whole shebang was only hoisted prior to use.

No...when you get to the boat you hoist

 

[mattnj]

I bought one from north sails...on their online shop...it's brilliant and was sensible money....only annoying thing is it's bright white...or it was.

 

[Minerva]

Snuffers are more trouble than they are worth IMHO.

Short handed drop (aka letterbox dowse) goes like this:
Prepare the guy for running out.
Lead the lazy guy over the boom and through the gap made by the loose footed mainsail and make fast onto something.
Chuck the halyard overboard so it trails behind the boat. This might need experimentation, an old boat of mine required a rag tied to the stopper knot to induce a bit of drag,
At some stage, hoist or unfurl the jib.
Bear away onto a deep run, so the kite is hidden by the mainsail.
Blow the guy and halyard in quick succession.
Gather the sail with the lazy guy and stuff bown the companionway,
Tidy up and open a beer.
Putting the kettle on is not recommended with the spinnaker all over the saloon.

Which is great for a racing boat with halyard led back to the pit, a loose foot mainsail and no stack pack...

Try it again with a stack pack and you'll get into all sorts of bother.