Do I have a reaching or running asymmetric / cruising chute?

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fredrussell

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I bought it second hand so not sure. My hunch is it’s a ‘running’ chute as it has a fair bit of belly to it - pics below. I had it up today and it seemed to be doing ‘alright’ on a beam reach but no noticeable difference to my 135% genoa. Whenever it’s been used on a broad reach it seems to struggle getting out of the shadow of the main but that’s very likely due to my inexperience with these sails. My boat does not lend itself well to adding a bowsprit (to help with moving chute forward away from shadow of main). In light airs, would an unstayed spinny pole be up to the job?
Here’s a pic or two of it up. This in very light airs (5 - 7 kts) and on a beam reach.
 

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It's definitely not a running design. My guess is it's a very old "cruising chute" am not sure I have seen one with absolutely no radial panels in the bottom half of the sail, but not having any shape makes it very flat ie more designed for reaching. To induce a bit more shape you could move the sheet lead forward slightly either by moving the sheets block forward a bit or if that's not possible by using inhalers - doing this would also push the centre of the sail forward and more out of the main's shadow.
 
Cruising Chute usually for broad reaching - or boom it out on the other side for running - goose wing - if the leach is hooking (on IMG 4499) might need the leach tape to be taken off and eased so the air flow is smooth - might be why it is a bit slow - sewing machine job or friendly sail maker.
 
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I think the second question relates to using a spin pole as a bow sprit for the tack of the sail. It will have large forces trying to lift the forward end plus forces trying to pull the end to leeward. So yes would need stays. Or at least very stout anchorage at bow and inner end. Plus be strength enough in the pole. Perhaps not worth the effort. ol'will
 
RE: In light airs, would an unstayed spinny pole be up to the job?
Here’s a pic or two of it up. This in very light airs (5 - 7 kts) and on a beam reach.

In light airs a spinnaker pole without a topping lift will drag the clew down.
I would suggest rigging a topping lift. Light line is fine.

RE; Whenever it’s been used on a broad reach it seems to struggle getting out of the shadow of the main

If the sail is collapsing because of the wind shadow of the main. (running or broad reaching) just drop or reef the main.

RE: My boat does not lend itself well to adding a bowsprit
You can experiment with that idea.


RE: boom it out on the other side for running - goose wing -
Good idea.

 
Ingwe said:
It's definitely not a running design. My guess is it's a very old "cruising chute" am not sure I have seen one with absolutely no radial panels in the bottom half of the sail, but not having any shape makes it very flat ie more designed for reaching. To induce a bit more shape you could move the sheet lead forward slightly either by moving the sheets block forward a bit or if that's not possible by using inhalers - doing this would also push the centre of the sail forward and more out of the main's shadow.
Click to expand...
I think you’re right about the age of the sail - it’s a Jeckylls sail and the font on their logo does look from a few decades back. I hadn’t considered moving the sheet lead forward - will try that - cheers.
 
garymalmgren said:
RE: In light airs, would an unstayed spinny pole be up to the job?
Here’s a pic or two of it up. This in very light airs (5 - 7 kts) and on a beam reach.

In light airs a spinnaker pole without a topping lift will drag the clew down.
I would suggest rigging a topping lift. Light line is fine.

RE; Whenever it’s been used on a broad reach it seems to struggle getting out of the shadow of the main

If the sail is collapsing because of the wind shadow of the main. (running or broad reaching) just drop or reef the main.

RE: My boat does not lend itself well to adding a bowsprit
You can experiment with that idea.


RE: boom it out on the other side for running - goose wing -
Good idea.

Click to expand...
Cheers for vids Gary - much food for thought there, especially the short un-stayed plastic ‘prodder’. (Just to clarify by ‘un-stayed’ I mean no bob-stay down to bow). I only generally use the chute in light airs - I think I’ll experiment with a short expendable prodder rather than risk damaging my spinny pole.
 
If you want it to go quicker - need a larger one - my chute came back to the cockpit winches and the sheet was attached to the quarter . Sometimes used a whisker pole to prod it out a bit so it didn't backwind the main.

Try slacking everything off a bit to see if it pulls better -
 
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Egret said:
If you want it to go quicker - need a larger one - my chute came back to the cockpit winches and the sheet was attached to the quarter . Sometimes used a whisker pole to prod it out a bit so it didn't backwind the main.

Try slacking everything off a bit to see if it pulls better -
Click to expand...
That’s interesting. Is/was your chute a reaching one? Many modern planing boats like Pogo and the like seem to have a reaching chute, and these come right back to cockpit like yours.
 
Found a photo - Mine was an original (Miller and Whitworth I think) Cruising chute from mid 70's with a starburst radial pattern radiating from a 'sun' half way up the wire luff - like a big floaty jib so not so full at the top like yours so maybe not helpful. Will be a reaching sail. Would need to be set goosewinged or on a pole set on the opposite side to the boom on a dead run- sail will tell you what it wants to do.. No problem setting it off the jib tack fitting on the foredeck. Quite low cut foot so clew is only just above guard rail level - You may need to speak with someone who has something like a RS200 that seem to be fuller at the top to see how they set them..

Just a check - by the pattern was yours originally a symmetrical spinnaker that has been cut off diagonally at the bottom to make a cruising chute?
 
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As you already have a spinnaker pole , you can fly the tack of your sail from that, just like a symmetrical. Pulling the sail to windward is much more effective than a short sprit and the sail sets much better than goosewinging it by the clew. What is best probably depends on how big your boat is and how small your crew. For me with a 30'r I can happily mess about with poles and strings on my own, 45' is a different matter unless there's a good few of you
 
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