Is my "Reacher" a cruising chute ?

[Blue_Pearl]

Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

One of the many sails included with the boat when purchased was a very large spinnaker type sail with "Reacher" written on the sail bag and the head of the sail.
Can anyone tell me if it's a cruising chute - if so what are the defining properties of a cruising chute as opposed to a spinnaker ?
Attached are some pics of both the "Reacher" and another one of the "1.0 spinnaker" both are huge !

and here is the spinnaker "1.0"

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

Looks sort of like a cruising chute to me.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

Tis a symmetric spinnaker, but of a flatter cut, so more suitable for reaching than a full bellied running spinnaker. Commonly called a reacher.

Used to have one of them before I went all asymmetric.

 

[wotayottie]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

[ QUOTE ]

Used to have one of them before I went all asymmetric.

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[dt4134]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

The "1.0" is almost certainly a spinnaker made from 1.0 Oz/SqFt cloth.

As already said, the reacher is a symmetric spinnaker cut for reaching rather than running.

A cruising chute is a form of asymmetric spinnaker used on a cruiser, often their a bit smaller than a similar racer would have.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

Itza kite, narrower in the shoulders and the hips than a full size kite, designed to be flow from a broad reach to a tight reach.

 

[Blue_Pearl]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

Thanks for the comments. So I guess this means I'll still need to use my spinnaker pole with the "reacher" then ?

 

[dt4134]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

Yes. And you can even use it for running, as long as you aren't hoping to win races.

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

I would not be so sure that you would use a pole on a Reacher. Its purpose is "reaching", by definition the wind is in the region of the beam. I would have thought that tacking it to the bow would be the easiest, most effective place for it.

Jeff

 

[dt4134]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

A reacher is definitely a symmetric spinnaker not an asymmetric. Anyway, just to complicate matters, there's nothing to stop you using a pole with an asymmetric in lieu of a bowsprit (just don't rely on the downhaul to hold it down).

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

It needs a pole.

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

Thats either a hugh spinniker or a very small garden /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[FullCircle]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

[ QUOTE ]
It needs a pole.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep.


Also, the 1.0 is a medium to heavy weight. Most normal use kites are 0.75.

We had a heavy 1.5oz chicken chute to be flown in 30 knots plus.

 

[Blue_Pearl]

Re: Is my \"Reacher\" a cruising chute ?

Thanks guys.
I've also got a 0.75 and I think a 1.5 somewhere !
Pity I don't know how to fly a spinnaker yet !! Is there such a person as a spinnaker instructor that will come sailing with us out of Dartmouth ?

Jobsy, not as big as your "Big red one" but big enough /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif