Two Questions regarding a new spinnaker

[DavidBolger]

I have two questions regarding a new spinnaker I am proposing to purchase. I have a 1989 Sadler 34 based in Dun Laoghaire. My sailing is a combination of cruising and club racing in Dublin Bay. My crew and I are quite novice when it comes to flying spinnakers. I have been talking to a number of sailmakers and have settled on a choice of two.

Option one is Kemp sails who have some discount spinnakers for sale which equate to the measurements given to me by the Sadler expert in the UK. Its price is about €1500 (£920). It is made from a discontinued range of sailcloth.

Option two is a local sailmaker - Watsons sails and his price is €2,200. He explains the difference in price by the personal care and attention which he can bring and the better sailcut and cloth.

Question 1 is which should I go for. I am not sure if I can jusify the extra cost although I hear that Kemp are the cheap and cheerful range of sails. I am a marketers dream in that I can believe the back-up service and personal attention. All advice is gratefully received.

Question 2 relates to end-to-end gybing as opposed to dip pole gybing. For those of you familiar with the Sadler 34, you will know that it has a baby stay forward of the mast which makes dip pole gybing impossible. The Sadler forum strongly advises against undoing the baby stay to faciltate dip pole gybe and recommends only end to end gybing. Now all sailmakers I am talking to recommend that the spinnaker size (approx 880 sq ft) make it too big to end to end gybe even with twin sheets and guys. Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

[bedouin]

Can't give a definative answer on Q1 as I have no first hand experience of either company. However having bought two spinnakers in the past couple of years. One was "off the shelf" and the other purpose designed to my requirements. The price difference is similar to those you mention - I am much happier with the "custom" sail.

On question 2 - having a baby stay does not preclude "dip pole gybing" - but makes it a little more complex. After tripping the pole from the guy, you have to remove the pole from the mast fitting, move that end to the other side of the babystay, reattach it to the mast, and then attach the new guy. This is much easier with two people on the foredeck!

 

[Chris_Stannard]

I have had a number of sails from Rob Kemp in the past and have always found them to be excellent. I believe that the cloth you are talking about is discontinued colours not the range.

My question would be what do want to do with the spinaker, if you are only going to fly it in light airs then 0.75 ounces is enough, if you are going to keep it up longer then 1.5 ounces is more appropriate.

AS it is you first spinaker and you will be learning, I would recommend that buy the ready made. If you get into serious racing you will want a running spinaker, about 0.5 or 0.75 ounces and a reaching spinaker which is cut flatter than the running spinaker. If you do not get serious about racing then the ready made will probably do anyway.

Chris Stannard

 

[Twister_Ken]

I've only ever heard good things about Kemps, and the dimensions of a kite are not millimetre critical in the way that white sails are.

Certainly, end-to-end in light airs, but it could be come quite hairy in a breeze. Have you considered twin poles?

 

[extravert]

Spinnakers can be short lived things if you are racing, especially when you first start. It only takes one distastrous wrap on a breezy day and that's the end of it. You may feel a bit miffed if you do that during your first month with an expensive one, so I'd go for the cheaper option.

Even if you buy a Kemp one I'm sure you will still be visiting your local sailmaker for the inevitable patches and repairs. He can give you his personal attention then.

I have never tried dip-pole gybing on a boat with a baby stay. Something else to fall over and get tangled up in. I expect your spinnaker is probably bigger than mine as my X99 rig is fractional, but 2 line end-to-end seems to work for me as well as could be expected (ie unless you are a full time professional spinnaker gyber doing it 40 hours a week, it never seems to be completely guaranteed cock-up free).

 

[david_e]

My sailing is similar to yours and have just been quoted £820+vat for a quality spinnaker by Goacher sails in Windermere, radial design, glued construction, radial patches etc where you will get the same one to one service and personal care as your local chap. Look at the website www.goachersails.co.uk to see the pedigree then you can call and speak to him him directly.

The website for UK sailmakers has a programme where you can colour your own spinnaker, which might be of use.

 

[yoda]

In response to your second question, dip pole gybing is only a realistic option if you don't have a baby stay. Even ene to end is going to be made more difficult to carry out with a baby stay. For the relatively un-worked up crew the safest method by far ( and one that may save you a spinnaker being shredded) is to go to twin poles. This method is controlled and easy to carry out. My relatively small 30 ft boat is very difficult to end to end (and was the same in my youthful rugby playing days). Invest in the second pole is my advice.

Yoda

 

[Spacewaist]

1 Nothing wrong with Kemp sails.

2 Try two poles

3 Make sure the cloth is heavy enough to survive an unexpected squall.