How much performance loss using a G0 as a cruising chute?

[Oscarpop]

I have a code 0 for cruising in light airs, and it works fantastically.
My question is; how much performance are you going to lose if you use it as a downwind sail?
It is obviously cut flat and so will not be as effective as a cruising chute, but in light airs, can you tell me by how much?

 

[Searush]

If you are going to be bothered by performance loss I wouldn't do it. However, if you were a cruising sailor you wouldn't bother to ask, you would just do it. Quantifying the amount of "loss" is impossible, there are FAR too many variables such as boat, sea state, crew, weather etc etc.

 

[Seajet]

If you pole it out you should have a very stable undemanding set-up in moderate conditions; you're not going to flash past people with spinnakers or chutes, but it should still be relaxing and fast enough.

There's always the elf 'n safety angle I suppose; make sure your crew can get the pole off and the wind doesn't quietly build so turning round and beating if you've fallen overboard is still possible, as a motivation never tell them your PIN number !

 

[William_H]

Code zero downwind

Yes you will lose performance dead down wind compared to a spinacker. The spin can be hauled a long way out from the mainsail wind shadow. However as soon as you are away from down wind the code 0 should be really good, more usable up to a reach and beyond.
When running down wind in light winds you can only sail slightly slower than the wind speed. So probably very little loss of speed with code0. However as soon as the wind pipes up the hull speed will begin to limit the actual speed. You need much more power from the sails to get the boat to overcome hull speed limitations for that extra fraction of a knot. Provided it is safe you can then get more power out of a spin so get that extra speed compared to code 0.
So I dunno, but true racers will always go spin for downwind. good luck olewill

 

[Twister_Ken]

This might help.