When To Use A Spinnaker Sailing
A skipper's decision to use this sail is based on a few factors. As spinnaker sailing adds another element of complexity to being on the water, there are several points to consider.
Are there many other boats on the water? Will they cause turbulence so distorting the sail?
Are you sailing close to land? If you are close to land the wind can change direction due to land shape, or the temperature differential between land and sea through the day.
If you are ocean sailing, the swell may interfere with sail shape as well, you could find the sail collapsing in the troughs.
Due to the nature of spinnakers maneuverability is lowered, if you plan to change course frequently then they may not fit your navigation plan.
Are there many other boats on the water? Will they cause turbulence so distorting the sail?
Are you sailing close to land? If you are close to land the wind can change direction due to land shape, or the temperature differential between land and sea through the day.
If you are ocean sailing, the swell may interfere with sail shape as well, you could find the sail collapsing in the troughs.
Due to the nature of spinnakers maneuverability is lowered, if you plan to change course frequently then they may not fit your navigation plan.
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Setting Up
The halyards and guys go out side everything! When you rig the boat either on the
quay or underway, take a few moments to track the lines from the pointy end to stern. Other than raising the sail upside down this is a simple and embarrassing mistake!
The skipper will tell you well in advance (hopefully) whether it will be a starboard or port tack. You need to set the kite up on the opposite side to what they say! So Starboard tack - Port hoist and Port tack - Starboard hoist.
Be sure to clip the sail bag to the safety rail before setting up the halyards for action. The pole should be raised to shoulder height and positioned so at the time of raising it does not interfere with the foresail track. Remember which ever hoist your doing, to bring the lazy halyard round outside of the track and clip through the jaws of the pole.
The best method of hoisting is to use long graceful pulls on the spinnaker halyard, to bring the sail up quickly. The sail will fill easily and your off down wind!
quay or underway, take a few moments to track the lines from the pointy end to stern. Other than raising the sail upside down this is a simple and embarrassing mistake!
The skipper will tell you well in advance (hopefully) whether it will be a starboard or port tack. You need to set the kite up on the opposite side to what they say! So Starboard tack - Port hoist and Port tack - Starboard hoist.
Be sure to clip the sail bag to the safety rail before setting up the halyards for action. The pole should be raised to shoulder height and positioned so at the time of raising it does not interfere with the foresail track. Remember which ever hoist your doing, to bring the lazy halyard round outside of the track and clip through the jaws of the pole.
The best method of hoisting is to use long graceful pulls on the spinnaker halyard, to bring the sail up quickly. The sail will fill easily and your off down wind!
It's All about Shapes!
Nowadays there are two types of spinnaker for cruising or racing. Of course if your competing at national or international levels then that is a different! The characteristics of the spinnaker determine at what point of sail you can achieve.
Radial
Radial spinnakers are cut to have very broad shoulders. They have a fuller girth which provides increased drawing power. As the distance from the mainsail increases so the wind is less turbulent aiding sail power. The top of the sail is flat and the rest bows outwards.Notice the broad shoulders of the radial spinnaker.
Tri Radial
The shoulders on tri radials are not so broad. They are flatter cut overall , with flatter leach which means less back wind. Due to less back wind it is possible to reach better. Longer luff provides drawing power. The angles of use of tri radials are around 100 to 130 apparent wind angles.Notice the reduced shoulders of the tri radial spinnaker
Getting Away From The Rigging And Main
As Objects, the rigging and main provide turbulent, disturbed air for the area in front of them on foredeck. The objective of a spinnaker of either type is to fly up away from the turbulence in clear air. As the boat is traveling away from the wind, with the rigging, boom and main potentially getting in the way, you will understand why the sailmakers have designed them to find clear air.
Over Powering
Once a spinnaker is flying on to a very broad a reach, the dynamics of the sail may over power the boat. When this happens the kite controls the boat. The keel may lift out of the water and a "broach" occurs. To avoid this unpleasant and dangerous scenario, the first course of action is to release one of the spinnaker halyards completely. The one that is under strain. By releasing the halyard you are removing the ability of the sail to be full of wind. The boat will right itself.A severe broach can result in the cockpit filling with water and frayed nerves!
For more information on spinnaker sailing and a detailed look at other related areas of sailing go to www.boatpride.com/spinnaker-sailing.html
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- thebluesamurai thebluesamurai Mar 3, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
- I like this alot. You have a very nice video there of you blasting.
I find there's no better feeling when sailing than when the spinny fills and you feel that jerk as the boat says 'lets go!!!'
Nice lens 5*
Check out my lens for a list of my fav places to get sailing kit.
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