What spinnaker sock

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cmedsailor

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I have a symmetric spinnaker that use very rarely, only during club races (which I hardly participate nowadays) and only with the suitable crew. I wish I could use it more often and double handed (me and wife; OK she is not a strong sailor but can raise a halyard). Do you think buying a sock will make the whole process easier and safer? If yes, can you recommend me some specific ones that you have used and consider good?
Thanks
 
Snuffers are the work of the devil! On the grounds that your boat is small enough to allow your weak ("not strong") wife to hoist the sails, then the spinnaker size should be easily handled by yourself. Just plan your moves, give yourself plenty of space and have a plan B.
 
I normally sail single-handed. On my previous boat, a Centaur, I had an Arun asymmetric, complete with an Arun snuffer that saw regular use, especially on long passages. Were it not for the sock I would not have been able to use the sail on my own.

When I got my present boat, a Wauquiez Centurion 32, there was a huge Genniker that was practically brand new. It was a pity to leave it in its bag. Last year I bought a snuffer from HYDE through their local representative. This works even better than the old Arun one that I had because it includes a sort of heavily knit fabric. This allows the air that is trapped in the sock (when dousing the sail) to escape, rendering the process virtually trouble-free. I now use the asymmetric regularly and consider it as being my 'turbo'.

No connection with Hyde or Arun (who, for all I know, might now be using a similar and porous fabric as well).
 
A sock is a great investment for short handed sailing. Techniques are slightly different and you need to understand how hey work to get the best from them but defintely go for one. I would advoate one with a GRP bell which may be more expensive but seem to have less problems when talking to others. They do come up on ebay but you need to get rouhly the right sock length.

Yoda
 
We have a cruising chute and snuffer from Jeckells. Simple metal ring at the mouth, porous cloth for the sleeve. It really does make flying the chute a simple process: hoist in snuffer, make fast to boat and sheet, pull up snuffer and you're off. Reverse to snuff the sail and recover it. We tried the sail without a snuffer and it was such a hassle dealing with acres of fabric that I suspect we'd have sold the sail if we hadn't been advised to get a snuffer. As to which one to buy, we're happy with Jeckells one which is simple and was not expensive.

The only thing I'd say about the snuffer is making sure the control line if run up the inside of the sail and doesn't get tangled with the sheet, which can mean you have to bring it round to the right side of the sail it before you can snuff it.
 
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StormNorm said:
Do you store the chute/spinnaker inside the sock/snuffer? Does it roll/fold up?
Click to expand...

The 'sausage' is stuffed into the bag, roughly in a zig-zag fashion, all the while holding onto the lower ends (clew and tack). The head end of the sausage will thus remain on top, ready for the next hoisting.

Before hoisting, attach the tack and clew to the appropriate lines / blocks / sheet. Attach the halyard to the topmost ring of the sausage and you are ready to hoist (in the lee of the genoa, if it is still being flown). Make the halyard fast. Hoist the snuffer when you are ready for it. The sail will fill as it is uncovered and the previously attached tack line and sheet will hold the drawing sail roughly in place. Once the sock is fully collapsed at the sail's head make the snuffer line fast. Back in the cockpit trim as necessary.

Since I usually sail single-handed, my 'mate' the tiller pilot holds the boat on course while I am playing at the bows.

Most of the trouble that is experienced with snuffers is the failure to load the sail properly into the snuffer; this is best done on shore. There are many videos on Youtube that show how ths may be done.
 
PuffTheMagicDragon said:
The 'sausage' is stuffed into the bag, roughly in a zig-zag fashion, all the while holding onto the lower ends (clew and tack). The head end of the sausage will thus remain on top, ready for the next hoisting.

Before hoisting, attach the tack and clew to the appropriate lines / blocks / sheet. Attach the halyard to the topmost ring of the sausage and you are ready to hoist (in the lee of the genoa, if it is still being flown). Make the halyard fast. Hoist the snuffer when you are ready for it. The sail will fill as it is uncovered and the previously attached tack line and sheet will hold the drawing sail roughly in place. Once the sock is fully collapsed at the sail's head make the snuffer line fast. Back in the cockpit trim as necessary.

Since I usually sail single-handed, my 'mate' the tiller pilot holds the boat on course while I am playing at the bows.

Most of the trouble that is experienced with snuffers is the failure to load the sail properly into the snuffer; this is best done on shore. There are many videos on Youtube that show how ths may be done.
Click to expand...
OK, so it's all a complete unit. I might invest for next season.
 
StormNorm said:
OK, so it's all a complete unit. I might invest for next season.
Click to expand...

Plenty of video examples on you tube - worth a look.

I have a snuffer as I believe it helps when short handed (only normally 2 of us). When racing however with crew, it would just get in the way.
 
Yes, as others say, snuffer a good job. I sail single handed and the snuffer makes flying my cruising chute safer and relatively easy. Cannot add much to other replies except I "cheat" by, when hoisting/lowering I run the engine fairly hard ahead. This makes life easier and more predictable for the auto pilot and brings down the apparent wind speed. My snuffer is by Hyde and works well. It has a substantial GRP "bell" which makes a smooth, stable entry for the sail, however I would not want to be clipped round the head by it! Even with this fairly large bell the sail and snuffer sit zig zagged in the original sail bag easily. Good luck with it. Richard
 
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