Spinnakers and snuffers

[DrGoss]

I have a question that relates to spinnaker use - I have been taught using snuffers to launch and collapse spinnakers and found them convenient and quick, not to mention easy for a novice crew. However, I am told that they are almost never used in racing. Is this correct? If so, what is the reason? What are the pros and cons of using a snuffer for a spinnaker in racing conditions?

 

[DoctorD]

Speed. Racing crews are bigger so no shortage of people to launch, gybe and bring in spinnakers. I normally cruise but still do not use a snuffer, I guess because I was taught that way. Many people do swear by them though. No reason why you can't use one racing - especially if only two on board.

 

[claymore]

Agree with that - they come into their own when you are shorthanded - except when they snag whilst up!
Regards
JohnS

Sans Signature

 

[Guest]

Over the past few years I have been part of a regular racing crew and when we do the Round the Island Race it always seems to be those using the snuffers which end up having difficulties. This may be connected with the equipment itself becoming stuck, or the operators, who will invariably be more cruising orientated sailors and may not use the spinnaker as much as we do when racing

 

[Twister_Ken]

A racing boat will probably have two genny halyards and two spinny halyards at the masthead, plus maybe two pole topping lifts coming out of the face of the mast somewhere. The risk of getting the snuffer line tangled up in that lot at a critical moment would be one reason.

Machismo would be another

 

[yoda]

I think the answer to your question is in the slightly different ways that sail control is achieved. To try some of the things that racing sailors do with a snuffer will result in the sail not doing what you want. I am sure each has it's benifits but only if conducted in the correct way. Trust me when it all goes wrong on a racing boat it is quite a mess to sort out even with a big crew. Short handed a snuffer is probably good news provided it is used in the correct way.

Yoda

 

[Chris_Stannard]

Having both raised and cruised, and used spinnakers with and without snuffers the answer is quite simple. For racing you cannot launch and recover the spinnaker at the speed, with a snuffer, that you can with a worked up crew. It is easier to gybe a spinnaker without a snuffer, and I have gybed three or four times on occasion on a short leg. I never found a way of launching the spinnaker on one gybe, and recovering it on the other, I always have to return to the original gybe to recover. Another factor is that the snuffer does spoil the airflow round the head of the spinnaker.
Short handed and cruising you may decide that the advantages of a snuffer outweigh the disadvantages above, but with a full racing crew and seconds counting I would never consider a snuffer.


Chris Stannard