spinnaker with single hand - possible?

[HAWAIIAN]

Most of the time I sailing single hand and my crew is ST-1000 auto helm, I would like to try using my spinnaker in the light wind day sometime. (never use my spannaker before) Can someone tell me how to do? is single hand possible? Thank you

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[Chris_Stannard]

Yes but you will find that a snuffer makes lifes much easier unless your boat is quite small. Rig the gear, furl or lower the genoa and then set the steering to go down wind with the wind on the quarter. Hoist the spinaker in the snuffer and then raise the snuffer. Go back to the cockpit and set the pole first and then sheet in. Now set your course and trim.
To lower, once again put the wind on the quarter, so the spinaker can be blanketed by the main. Let the guy right forward so the pole is nearly against the forestayand ease the sheet. When you get to the mast let about a foot or two off the halyard, so the snuffer bell is clear of the mast and forestay. Bring the snuffer down to douse the spinaker and then lower. You may well need to go aft once to let more off the guy when the snuffer is about two thirds of the way down. Once it is down you can bring the pole back to the deck, you can leave it rigged like a racing boat until later.

One last thought, remember NOT to put any figure of eight knots in the end of the sheets guys or halyards so if it all goes horribly wrong, you can let it all go. this is standard spinaker practice.

Good sailing

<hr width=100% size=1>Chris Stannard

 

[[3889]]

I use a spinny on a 32´ft ben regularly singlehanded without a snuffer with the following limitations:
wind <4
plenty of sea around
drop at first sign of bad weather

Rig the pole and and lines then hoist from cockpit going downwind.
To drop I sail 150 off wind, stand in companionway, release coach-house clutch for halyard and pull spinny into boat under boom making sure sheets and guys can run free
Believe me, it keeps you busy and makes long passages fly by.


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[Talbot]

Much easier with a cruising chute. dont have to play with the pole. Snuffer makes all the difference for both cruising chute and spinaker. try it in light breezes until you feel confident.

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[Athene V30]

Never used a snuffer, but sail single handed and use a spinaker.

First time chose light conditions and plenty of sea room! I always keep a jib up until the spinnaker is set - stops that nasty tangle around the forestay! Set up your pole, guy and sheet - make sure everything is outside the guardrails / stays / anything else. Tie the bag on well right up forward or just under the jib - hoist - sheet and there you go!

Lowering - put the jib up again, blanket the spinnaker with the main - sail almost down wind - slip the guy from the end of the pole and lower into the cockpit under the main. Chuck the sail into the cabin whilst you get the pole down etc.

Enjoy!



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[Georgio]

Would only add that that it can be a good idea to pull the sheet and guy a bit before launching and make them off. ie get the kite up to the pole and the pole just of the forestay + a few feet of kite out of the bag behind the genoa. It all helps to avoid twists as it goes up

Great fun using the kite single handed, Have fun!!!

G



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[Spyro]

Like everyone else has said it is possible however I would think it very difficult to do correctly on your own if you have never used one or rigged one before, if you can understand all the terms that everyone is using that will help. It would be a huge help if you could see one being rigged and used. Take a close look at where everything goes If you can get someone to come with you and show you how its done that would be the best way.

Good luck Ian

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[qsiv]

It's certainly possible (my big kite is about 3000 sq ft). As others say asymmetric is easier than using a pole, but both are possible. I wouldnt entertain it anything much bigger than a folkboat w/o a snuffer. Start in gentle conditions (but not calm), Make sure that your downwind course wont take you too close to the shore (you may find you need an extra mile to get it down).

I'd also suggest that initially you consider a little of the headsail unfurled (if you have a furling headsail) as this will make a wrap or wineglass unlikely. If you use a pole, set it up at your anticipated angle before doing anything else.

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