mikejames
New member
Re: SPINNAKER- NEED ADVICE
In windy conditions, and waves to match, you have to work the helm to try to make sure the waves dont push the stern around, promoting the rolls. Sometimes they will happen and provided they dont build up you can live with them.
You also want to keep the weight back. On a 24 footer, I often have people sitting aft of the helm both sides of the cockpit with only one person allowed forward.
Start with the spinnaker in less wind to get the feel . Choose a day with a potential sea breeze, and before you know it you will still have the kite up in 20 knots plus...
Make sure your sheets and guys are quite long , but only let go one of them if it all gets too much. Letting go both can result in the spinnaker refilling miles out from the boat and not in control.
If they arent long enough make sure you either dont have stopper knots in the sheets and guys or have slip knots or knife nearby...
Letting the guy run lets the spinnaker flap behind the main and makes it easier to recover if you want to drop.
Letting the sheet run allows you to have another go with the spinnaker , although it may fill suddenly.
In windy conditions, and waves to match, you have to work the helm to try to make sure the waves dont push the stern around, promoting the rolls. Sometimes they will happen and provided they dont build up you can live with them.
You also want to keep the weight back. On a 24 footer, I often have people sitting aft of the helm both sides of the cockpit with only one person allowed forward.
Start with the spinnaker in less wind to get the feel . Choose a day with a potential sea breeze, and before you know it you will still have the kite up in 20 knots plus...
Make sure your sheets and guys are quite long , but only let go one of them if it all gets too much. Letting go both can result in the spinnaker refilling miles out from the boat and not in control.
If they arent long enough make sure you either dont have stopper knots in the sheets and guys or have slip knots or knife nearby...
Letting the guy run lets the spinnaker flap behind the main and makes it easier to recover if you want to drop.
Letting the sheet run allows you to have another go with the spinnaker , although it may fill suddenly.