Hunters "Scooper"

[matt_york]

Does anyone have experience of using Hunters "Scooper" sail. I have recently ordered an asymetric for my Ranger 245 from Sobstad but can't wait until April to try it out.

How much faster will the boat go? What wind strength can you use the sail in and what angles can be achieved without a pole?

Thanks

Matt

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[steve_cronin]

Re: Hunters \"Scooper\"

The Hunter's supplied "Scooper" I had on my Horizon 30 was virtually symmetrical. Made the boat go like a train though! Sadly we sold the boat a few months after the sail arrived so now Andy & Brenda have the fun of it.

Fit it with an outboard block ahead of the forestay and a sheet for each side then you will be able to gybe it from the cockpit "ever-so-easily"

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Badger]

Re: Hunters \"Scooper\"

We ordered a Scooper with our Channel 31 and in light airs you really need it because of the small self tacking headsail.We can use it from a close reach to a very broad reach with no problem.It DOUBLES the boat speed in light airs and in a F3/F4 it goes like a train.It is a huge sail so after we had used it a few times we also invested in an AFN snuffer from Sobstad.We now sail more than we used to in light airs and have a lot of fun with the scooper.I know some owners have invested in a small telescopic whisker pole so that they can use it on a run as well.

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[wizard]

Re: Hunters \"Scooper\"

I have the 245 with a Hyde scooper. In light airs its difficult to get the boat to drive with the small self tacking headsail. But as soon as the scooper goes up its like putting your foot down on the accelerator in a car. Directly downwind is difficult in very very light airs - better off to one side. From here to a broad reach is great and when the wind gets up to the 3's and 4's life is fast and exciting. Make sure you get long sheets for the gybing. This summer in the Solent with the very light breezes I made up some very light sheets to stop the weight collapsing the scooper.
Good luck and have fun


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[matt_york]

Thanks for the info.

Interesting, as I had bought some cheap 10mm rope for the sheets, which at the time I thought was too big. Sounds like I should be going for 8mm or even 6mm. Do you use a snapshackle or just tie a bowline?

You may see me out on the Solent. We are "Ember" #61 and will have a pink and blue (colours chosen by Son and Daughter!) asymetric. Out most weekends.

Regards

Matt

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[ditchcrawler]

I use a Hyde scooper on my Ranger 265 with a snuffer which makes it childs play to handle.It still works sheeted in on a not too close beat in light airs,but usually used fine reach to running.I have a small pole for running/goosewinging.I support everything said by the other posters about wind speeds.I do not have a winch each side so I use blocks with jamming cleats attached to base of the pushpit stanchions.Make sure you have long enough sheets to go outside the forestay,about twice the boat length is recommended.You can use an adjustable tack line but I just snap shackle mine to the ring in front of the forestay with a short length of line about 12 ins long.you will have alot of fun with it.In light airs it makes the boat come alive.In a force3/ 4(max for me) it is even exciting(I am easily pleased)

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[wizard]

Re: Hunters \"Scooper\"

Snap shackles for the standard lines and bowlines for the really light lines - again its all weight saved!!

'Second Chance'

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[rwoofer]

Re: Hunters \"Scooper\"

Just curious - what's a Scooper?

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[Badger]

Re: Hunters \"Scooper\"

it's a Genneker like assymetric coloured sail provided by Hunter boats.

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