What about the Code D then?

[dgadee]

I have a large main and a self tacking jib. Downwind is a problem - in a light breeze in which I can sail upwind I tend to switch on the engine. I have toyed with the idea of a carbon pole and spinnaker but now think not.

I noticed a post from a few years ago about the Code D and wonder what the jury's view of this for cruising might be? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7nPSdkYP98

I have a Schaeffer 'free furling' gear which I picked up from a larger boat (https://www.schaefermarine.com/our-products/jib-furlers/free-flying-systems/) so only a sail would have to be purchased.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Couldn't see from the video - how well does it work when the wind is aft of the beam?

 

[dgadee]

Couldn't see from the video - how well does it work when the wind is aft of the beam?

There is a polar diagram in the video. If I remember, it was around 140 degrees.

 

[flaming]

Calling it a "Code D" is just marketing guff. It's just an Asymmetric Spinnaker on a furler, with all the advantages and disadvantages that go with that.

In short, it will be a damn sight better downwind than you self tacking jib, but if you sail like a cruiser and like going straight at your destination then a conventional kite would be better. With that setup you'll need to gybe your way downwind.

 

[dunedin]

Another example of how the "labour saving" self tacking jib actually creates more work than it saves - by needing to hoist and set a differnt sail to go downwind efficiently

 

[dgadee]

Another example of how the "labour saving" self tacking jib actually creates more work than it saves - by needing to hoist and set a differnt sail to go downwind efficiently

Yes, but I love it.

Edit: Just as I love my electric winch ...

 

[Ingwe]

As flaming has already said the "D" is just marketing I have a similar sail but in laminate that north sails would call a code zero / three. Using it conventionally you won't sail much deeper than about 110 apparent, but when we were cruising this summer I did try goose winging it by poling it out to go dead down wind it did work reasonably well and if you don't want a running spinnaker is probably your best bet, but for dead down wind I expect you would still end up motoring in less than ten knots. For reaching though you should be able to get the boat going in less wind than that.

 

[knuterikt]

The sail in the video look like code 0 made if spinnaker cloth.
I have code 0 it's not designed as a downwind sail but works better than expected on courses where I'd normally would fly spinnaker or asymmetric.
DDW I can use it goosevinged with only a preventer on the main.

 

[knuterikt]

Calling it a "Code D" is just marketing guff. It's just an Asymmetric Spinnaker on a furler, with all the advantages and disadvantages that go with that.

In short, it will be a damn sight better downwind than you self tacking jib, but if you sail like a cruiser and like going straight at your destination then a conventional kite would be better. With that setup you'll need to gybe your way downwind.

Where do you sail? Would love to sail in an area where all destinations are DDW

 

[Tranona]

Just one of many variations on the same theme. Most of the major sailmakers offer similar products. Was only today looking at a similar video of Kemp's version, which is less spinnaker and more large light genoa. Thinking of going this route as new boat has mainsail biased fractional rig with 110% jib so is poor downwind particularly in light airs.

 

[dgadee]

The Dehler I have had the suggestion in its handbook that a large genoa could be used in v. light airs to compensate for the small jib. I borrowed one from a friend with a similar boat last year. It was too much hassle - difficult to store and manipulate due to not being spi material. He is of the same opinion. I suppose I am really talking about going downwind at 10 to 15 knots (or a bit more if directly downwind) rather than upwind in 4 or 5 knots.

 

[Ceirwan]

Another example of how the "labour saving" self tacking jib actually creates more work than it saves - by needing to hoist and set a differnt sail to go downwind efficiently

What headsail does your boat have that allows you to sail downwind 'efficiently'? Even a number 1 poled out (more work) needs a good bit of breeze to really work.

In light airs a bermudan rig will always be way better with some kind of spinnaker.

 

[Tranona]

In light airs a bermudan rig will always be way better with some kind of spinnaker.

The type of headsail being suggested here is a compromise that improves sailing off the wind, but not downwind, unless used in a twin headsail fashion. There are various different cuts, sizes, materials offered by sailmakers depending on the objectives of the owner.

As already suggested they are attractive for boats with small headsails and large mains.

 

[dunedin]

What headsail does your boat have that allows you to sail downwind 'efficiently'? Even a number 1 poled out (more work) needs a good bit of breeze to really work.

In light airs a bermudan rig will always be way better with some kind of spinnaker.

Agree that with plenty of crew and/or muscle, a large spinnaker is always fastest downwind when set. But many of us who sail short handed have large spinnakers that very rarely see the light of day.

A 140% Genoa can be a good all round sail for cruising, upwind and down with minimal effort.
A 95% self tacker jib is rarely efficient other than directly upwind, and often undrpowered even then.

Currently have a boat with a circa 110% jib plus a Code 0 on furler. The Code 0 is used much more than the spinnaker was, as it can be furled away safely if wind rises or changes, but still the effort of lugging out of the locker means rarely used unless likely to be up for a number of hours (and in Scotland, wind changes so often round headlands and islands that is not particularly often)
PS Use the Code 0 like a Genoa, including often goose winged, even though no pole - did this for circa 100 miles in one run last year under autopilot

 

[PeterR]

I’ve got the North mylar version of this to compensate for ditching my 140% in favour of a 105% as my regular head sail.

The Code sail works – even up to 45 degrees apparent in very light winds - but being mylar makes it heavier and harder to handle and stow than one made from spinnaker material. If I were ordering again I would save money and sacrifice a little in pointing and go for one made from spinnaker material.

Although it works well at close angles in very light winds you only need a slight increase in wind and the increase in boat speed magnifies this meaning you are soon overpowered at close angles. As a reaching sail its fantastic and much less susceptible to changes in wind direction than a conventional spinnaker or cruising chute hence you can leave the autohelm to cope without worrying.

Downwind you can sail lower than with a conventional 140% genoa and much lower than with a 105% jib. If it starts collapsing you can pole it out and goose wing which is OK for a while and, unless you have a very high performance boat, faster than gybing back and forth but for a run of any distance you are a lot better off with a spinnaker.

 

[bobgarrett]

I accept a spinnaker is the best for going downwind but with short-handed crew a cruising chute can be good and we regularly goosewing with it.

 

[[2068]]

Never mind the merits of the product: the video did a great job of making sailing look easy, which is what is needed if you want to attract more participants