Spinnaker/Cruising chute sheets

[doug748]

I need to fashion some new sheets for a 10m sloop. I read somewhere that they should be 2.5 times the length of the boat. This seems over long to me, is it correct?
I want the things for use with both sails.
Thanks.

 

[BelleSerene]

Yes, a bit on the long side. A general rule is 1.5 times length of boat for a conventional (poled) spinnaker; 2 times for a cruising chute (asymmetric). The latter because you're wearing it further upwind so the clew extends further aft on a tighter reach. The windward sheet needs to go from there, round the forestay, back to the spinnaker block and inboard at least far enough to be held.

But it all depends on the layout of your boat and on how you intend to gybe her. Given the expense of buying the sheets in the first place, and the ease of cutting a bit off and re-sealing or whipping, I would go a bit long in the first instance, use the sheets on both sails including as far upwind as you can go on the cruising chute (I sail 80 degrees off the wind on mine), identify an amount you can safely do without, and then cut back.

 

[doug748]

Yes, a bit on the long side.... Given the expense of buying the sheets in the first place, and the ease of cutting a bit off and re-sealing or whipping, I would go a bit long in the first instance, use the sheets on both sails including as far upwind as you can go on the cruising chute (I sail 80 degrees off the wind on mine), identify an amount you can safely do without, and then cut back.

Brilliant BelleSerene. I have used both sails with a mixture of cast off lengths of old genoa sheet etc, and now want to fix something up "proper". I have one new long length and will go off tomorrow to match it.

 

[DJE]

We have two sheets for our cruising chute both twice the length of the boat which is fine. I've often wondered if a single continous sheet about 2.5 times the boat length would work just as well. You never need both sheets to be full length at the same time and it would be a lot less rope in the cockpit.

 

[michael_w]

The rule of thumb is genoa sheets 1.5 x overall length of boat; spinnaker sheets 2 x times.

Line that is too short is more annoying than one that is too long!

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Sheet Length Is Important For Flogging Spinnaker

Consider the amount of sheet length needed to effectively dump the spinnaker in an emergency. On a wide broad reach you could need about 2 times boat length to get the clew right out and flapping, with enough left over to keep on the winch if you couldn't also ease forward on the guy i.e. sheet dump only.

Just don't cut yourself too short.

 

[BelleSerene]

We have two sheets for our cruising chute both twice the length of the boat which is fine. I've often wondered if a single continous sheet about 2.5 times the boat length would work just as well. You never need both sheets to be full length at the same time and it would be a lot less rope in the cockpit.

Beware of a continuous loop (assuming it goes through a block on the side deck) as if you have to dump the kite, or gybe it out front in a blow, you'll be short of rope which could get very nasty.

Advice about the dangers of too short outweighing the faff of too long is wise.

 

[wotayottie]

Dont forget the weight issue. We have some heavy spinnaker sheets that I believe came from Kemp and in a light wind of say 6kn we struggle to get life into the spinny because of their weight. So dont go up in diameter too much - particularly if you have a sheet and a guy on both sides

 

[DJE]

Beware of a continuous loop (assuming it goes through a block on the side deck) as if you have to dump the kite, or gybe it out front in a blow, you'll be short of rope which could get very nasty.

Advice about the dangers of too short outweighing the faff of too long is wise.

Point taken.

 

[rhinorhino]

Dont forget the weight issue. We have some heavy spinnaker sheets that I believe came from Kemp and in a light wind of say 6kn we struggle to get life into the spinny because of their weight. So dont go up in diameter too much - particularly if you have a sheet and a guy on both sides

Weight can be an issue, so rather than use light sheets and guys we use a 3mm single line when flying the kite in very light air (> 4kts) just don't forget your gloves.

 

[wotayottie]

3mm? What is is - Dyneema? And plastic shackles?

 

[VicS]

There's guide on Jimmy Green's website

http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/technical_info/sheets_and_halyards_size_and_length_guide.htm

Its only a guide, actual lengths will depend on the boat and the position of fairleads, turning blocks and winches etc.

Far better to get them a bit overlong and shorten them ..... the odd bits of rope are always useful .... than get them too short!

 

[rhinorhino]

3mm? What is is - Dyneema? And plastic shackles?

yes, with one nylon shackle. At the wind speeds we use it at the loads are quite low.

 

[Laurin]

If you're going to buy long then trim to suit, you might make sure that they are long enough that whoever is trimming the kite can walk up to the foredeck to trim the guy when you drop. We have this system on Vreny and makes short handed kite flying much easier.