merlin1
New member
Can anyone tell me the benefits or negative aspaects of a tri-radial cut spinnaker.
tri-radial spinnakers
- Thread starter merlin1
- Start date
Skysail
Well-known member
The cut gives a better designed shape than other configurations. Also better at holding the shape over time as the stresses are better distributed along the panels.
One downside is the extra cost.
One downside is the extra cost.
merlin1
New member
Thanks Skyva. Have you any experience or thoughts on racing and a tri-radial.
Robin
Well-known member
Tri-radial will allow you to sail a bit closer to the wind than a radial head (bi radial), better for reaching but you don't get something for nothing, it is more expensive. The triradial will probably be smaller in the head and not so good dead downwind which is why lots of race boats will carry both!
geoffatstanpit
Member
My boat came with a tri-radial which was fine on a run or very broad reach but too full in the head for a beam reach so I had a Star-cut (tri-radial without the middle plain panels) made with a narrower head. I think either of them would tip us into the drink before they got anywhere near the sort of stress that might cause them to lose their shape. I'm sure that they could either have been made simpler without any loss of performance. Racers that need to worry about stretching a spinnaker are the sort that can beat into a 6 with full main and 150% genoa! I reef for top end of 3.
Geoff
Geoff
Skysail
Well-known member
I guess as always it depends what was specified in the first place. I would normally back a tri radial to be better on a reach - see
Kemp
and other sailmakers' websites.
You can specify a 'down wind' sail or a reaching sail, you will not get both perfect in the same package - but I think the triradial is the better compromise.
The 'stretch' factor is over time ie the life of the sail, not just a short period of racing.
Kemp
and other sailmakers' websites.
You can specify a 'down wind' sail or a reaching sail, you will not get both perfect in the same package - but I think the triradial is the better compromise.
The 'stretch' factor is over time ie the life of the sail, not just a short period of racing.
charles_reed
Active member
Usually reaching spinnakers they don't stretch to the same extent as cross-cut.
Most use a General purpose spinnaker (mistakenly referred to as a star-cut which is the old-fashioned term for a tri-radial), which has some cross-cut panels in the centre, allowing it greater fullness for a run.
Modern usage is to fly what used to be known as a genniker (now a Code 1) for reaching, on an offset forward pole. This gives much better drive and less heeling than a true spinnaker as well as allowing you to use it about 15 degrees farther forward of the beam than a spinnaker - which on a reach frequently degenerates into all sound and fury and little speed through the water.
It's generally accepted that Sobstad cut the best spinnakers in the market
Most use a General purpose spinnaker (mistakenly referred to as a star-cut which is the old-fashioned term for a tri-radial), which has some cross-cut panels in the centre, allowing it greater fullness for a run.
Modern usage is to fly what used to be known as a genniker (now a Code 1) for reaching, on an offset forward pole. This gives much better drive and less heeling than a true spinnaker as well as allowing you to use it about 15 degrees farther forward of the beam than a spinnaker - which on a reach frequently degenerates into all sound and fury and little speed through the water.
It's generally accepted that Sobstad cut the best spinnakers in the market
merlin1
New member
Many thanks and merry christmasto all who responded.
I will buy a tri-radial and see how we go.
I will buy a tri-radial and see how we go.
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