Spinnakers & Gennakers?

[lw395]

Well the symmetrical sail was unstable when poled out to one side of the main. We don't use the mizzen when dead down wind. The same sail set up with the asymmetric is totally stable by comparison. The symmetrical spinnaker was pretty old so could well of been a poor sail shape. We like the asymmetric as we can fly it with the wind forward of the beam and still get a benefit from it. I don't think a symmetrical sail would do this for us. In light winds we have been know to fly mizzen staysail, main and spinnaker giving us a whopping 2500sqft of sail on a 44ft boat. All flown by husband a wife team and not much arguing.....

Not much time for arguing I'd think?

 

[geem]

Not much time for arguing I'd think?

We use a simplified set up. The spinnaker is led through the Genoa cars and on to the Genoa winches. We only use a single line on the clew and tack since we don't gybe the spinnaker. The pole is rigged first with uphaul, downhaul, fwd and aft preventers so it is locked in place before we hoist the spinnaker. Fine adjustment is done to the pole position once sail is hoisted. We also use autopilot set to steer to wind. We have a powerful below decks rotary autopilot that will steer perfectly in any seas conditions. This set up works well on a cruising boat with team of two. And once hoisted needs little adjustment