16 Spinnaker Handling 125 Section 16 Spinnaker Handling Foreguy. A line led from the foredeck to a spinnaker pole Spinnaker Net. A web of light line hung in the foretriangle to limit its upward swing. to prevent a spinnaker wrap where the spinnaker wraps itself around the forestay. 1 A properly set and trimmed spinnaker makes a boat a 2 Symmetrical spinnakers have equal length luffs. The pleasure to sail. It adds speed, balances the boat, and strongest and most common construction is of the tri- lends excitement and beauty to downwind sailing. Spin- radial design. Tri-radial spinnakers orient the stress loads nakers are large billowy, colorful, parachute type sails in each corner toward the thread line. This matching of used for increased speed in downwind sailing. They strength to line greatly inhibits stretch. The sail main- come in many shapes and sizes. Spinnakers are either tains its intended shape in various wind strengths and symmetrical, asymmetrical, or oversized genoa shaped. directions. The symmetrical, tri-radial is an all-around Spinnakers are normally made from lightweight 3/4 oz. spinnaker. nylon. Some specialty chutes are 1/2 oz. for light air or 1.5 or 2.2 oz. for smaller sized heavy air spinnakers. 3 For strength and shaping reasons, the tri-radial design is Head likewise the preferred cut for the asymmetrical spinnaker. The asymmetrical spinnaker however, has unequal length sides, Figure 16–1. This sail has a designated tack and a designated clew. Asymmetrical spinnakers are generally used for reaching and broad reaching conditions. 4 If you have roller furling and you want to fly an asym- metrical - you need some way for it to go around the furled fore sail. Well - parrel beads will let you do that. They roll up or down the furled sail so you can adjust the height of the tack. 5 Cruising spinnakers are usually asymmetrical in shape and are normally set without a spinnaker pole and attached at the tack similar to the genoa but raised 12 to 18 inches/30 to 45 centimeters. One trademark name is Gennaker® while another is the Flasher®. Many sailmakers offer their own type of cruising spinnakers. Clew Tack Figure 16–1 Asymmetrical Spinnaker Sail 126 16 Spinnaker Handling Head Lee rail, Bow pulpit, Clew Base of mast (usually on a daysailer). Clew 7 The spinnaker is flown outboard of all other headsails and the standing rigging. The halyard and sheets must be carefully rigged and carefully checked to absolutely ensure that they pass outboard of the shrouds and head- stay when the sail is raised. 8 The control lines on the sail are the halyard and two sheet lines. The windward line attached to the spinnaker is called the guy, or more precisely the afterguy. The line attached to the leeward clew is the sheet. Figure 16–2 Spinnaker Turtle 9 The spinnaker pole can have two designs, either end- Rigging the Spinnaker for-end (Figure 16–4) or dip jibe (Figure 16–5). These 6 Spinnakers are stored in specially designed bags, called two terms relate to the method of jibing to be used. Each turtles (Figure 16–2), or in long bags, called, spinnaker pole has its own set of control lines. A topping lift raises socks. The spinnaker is rigged differently from the main- the pole. In rigging the pole, there must be a provision sail and jib because it is not attached along the luff. The for holding the outboard end of the pole down when the spinnaker is attached at only three points: head, clew, and spinnaker is filled. This can be accomplished by leading tack. The sail is typically launched from a spinnaker bag the windward spinnaker sheet through a deck mounted (turtle). Figure 16–3 illustrates a procedure for packing guy hook located just abaft the windward chain plate or, a spinnaker prior to use. In preparation for setting the alternatively, by using a foreguy, Figure 16–6. The pole spinnaker, the packed spinnaker turtle is attached to the also has a trip line to free the after guy when jibing. deck at one of several locations, for example: A. Spinnaker Being Pulled Through Tube Clews Rubber Head Together Hold Luffs Together Band 6" TO 10" Tube With Thin Rubber Bands Pull Spinnaker Through Tube, Securing With Rubber Bands at About 2 Foot Intervals B. Spinnaker Pulled Through and Ready to Pack C. Spinnaker Packed and Ready for Re-use Stuff into Turtle From Center Outward to Head and Clews Figure 16–3 Packing a Spinnaker Sail 16 Spinnaker Handling 127 Mast Spinnaker Tack Topping Lift Bridle Trip Line Guy Mast Ring Foreguy Bridle Figure 16–4 End-for-end Spinnaker Pole Figure 16–5 Dip Jibe Spinnaker Pole 10 The spinnaker head and clews are connected to the hal- yard and sheets, respectively, and the pole attached and raised so that it is level. The outboard end fitting of the spinnaker pole is snapped around the guy, jaws up, so that the guy runs freely thorough the fitting. The topping lift and foreguy (pole downhaul) are connected to the spinnaker pole, the inboard end of the pole connected to the “D” ring on the mast, and the pole raised until it is horizontal. To help hold the pole in a fixed position, a trimming line may be added to pull against the foreguy prior to raising the spinnaker, Figure 16–7. 11 The lines connected to the sail are rechecked before raising the spinnaker to ensure that the connections are secure, that all three lines run outside the shrouds and jibstay and are not fouled. Figure 16–6 Rigging of Spinnaker Pole Sail 128 16 Spinnaker Handling Setting the Spinnaker Trimming the Spinnaker 12 The spinnaker set is planned so that the spinnaker will 15 Three basic rules exist for spinnaker trimming: be hoisted in the lee of the mainsail. The head of the sail is attached to the spinnaker halyard; the clew to the a) Set the pole angle. This adjustment is controlled by sheet and the tack to the guy. All three attachments are the afterguy. With the wind aft of a relative bearing made with the spinnaker still in the bag. This is done to of 120o set the pole perpendicular to the apparent protect the sail from the wind and premature release. wind. Use the shroud telltales or masthead fly to identify the apparent wind direction. On a tighter o 13 The spinnaker sometimes tries to wrap itself around the reach with the apparent wind forward of a 120 headstay during a set or a jibe. Wraps can be prevented by relative wind, set the pole 75-80 degrees in rela- having the jib up during spinnaker sets and takedowns. tion to the apparent wind. Never let the pole ride Hoist the spinnaker on a reach rather than going directly on the headstay. downwind. b) Set the pole height. The topping lift and foreguy 14 Upon command, hoist the sail quickly in the lee of control this adjustment. On a symmetrical spin- mainsail. The guy is trimmed and cleated. The sheet is naker the clew and tack should be level. Some then trimmed to fill the spinnaker. The jib is roller furled exceptions to this general rule exist. In light air or dropped so that it does not block the wind from the the outboard end of the pole may be raised to get spinnaker, Figure 16–8. the sail further away from mainsail shadow. In heavier air lower the outboard end to depower the Foreguy (Pull Down) Spinnaker Turtle Spinnaker Spinnaker Pole Sheet Spinnaker Guy Spinnaker Halyard Trimming Line (Pole Back) Wind To Help Hold the Pole In a Fixed Position, Use a Trimming Line To Pull Against Foreguy Prior To Raising the Spinnaker Figure 16–7 Rigging the Spinnaker Sail 16 Spinnaker Handling 129 Center of Effort best boat speed and safety do not cleat it. When in doubt, let Center of Effort of Spinnaker it out. Good spinnaker trimming of Mainsail requires practice and concentra- tion. 16 Spinnaker trim is the re- Foreguy sult of teamwork between the trimmer and helmsman. This interaction is an art needing a practiced eye. In short-handed Leech situations, a helmsman can steer Preventer to keep a curl, but always be prepared to release and retrim the spinnaker sheet. Carry Curl on Luff Jibing the Spin- Spinnaker Pole naker 17 On small boats, end-for- end spinnaker pole jibes are made, while on larger boats, Mainsheet when the gear becomes larger and heavier, dip pole jibes are Sheet usually made. It will be assumed that the jib is either dropped Afterguy or roller furled before the ma- neuver starts, although in most instances a jib will not be flown concurrently with a spinnaker. 18 As with any jibe, prepara- Wind tion is absolutely necessary. To make an end-for-end spinnaker Figure 16–8 Running with Spinnaker Set pole jibe, head the boat directly downwind Figure sail and make control easier. With an asymmetrical 16-10. Set the pole square (perpendicular) to the wind sail the pole would be lower. with the spinnaker filled. The crew flying the spinnaker has both the sheet and guy in hand and is prepared to c) Sheet for a medium curl. Ease the sheet—the sail trim as necessary to keep the spinnaker filled. Upon com- will curl before it collapses. It is easy to keep the mand, the foredeck crew disconnects the pole from both spinnaker filled if it is overtrimmed. However, the mast and the guy.