Cruising spinnaker weight

Acadia · 14-10-2008, 23:13

Hello,

I have been searching all the use sail website for a ASY spinnaker and I found one. The only thing is that it's a racing chute. Very high quality all radial, great condition but the material weight is .6oz Polyester.

I don't think I will want to fly it in anything much greater than 15kts.

I was looking for a 1.5oz mostly for durability.

boat. The guy selling it says it would work perfect of course. But as I am new to all of this, I just wanted to see what some of you thought.

Negatives...positives?

Thanks

Evan · 14-10-2008, 23:30

How big is your boat? A typical 30' cruising boat can get by with a 0.75 oz and 0.6 oz isn't that different. A 40' cruising boat should think hard about 1.5 oz because it is more bulletproof and deals with the larger loads of the higher sail area

Acadia · 14-10-2008, 23:34

Its a 40' boat 18,000 lbs

Perhaps I should keep looking for that 1.5

Thanks

swagman · 15-10-2008, 00:52

You could......but IMHO most of the winds you'll encounter when cuising will be light..........so a lighter sail would be much more functional.
When the winds are heavy a poled out headsail would be a better bet plus also easier to handle.
Do remember a race cut tri-radial will have bigger shoulders than a designed cruising spinnaker - meaning it might take a bit more to trim or need to be over-trimmed to retain its shape without adjustment.
G'wan, take it - you'll love sweeping past those others on the same course............
JOHN

Joli · 15-10-2008, 04:45

I'm not a big fan of poly for kites. The material is more stable the nylon but not as durable. I have also seen it develop a shudder when sailing in lightish air and some chop, seems like the nylon kites have more dampening in that condition.

I do agree with Swagman though, buy a ligher sail, you don't need 1.5 ounce. You probably will not be flying the kite in 45 knots. Our 3/4 oz kites have regularly seen 30, once in a while they have seen mid 40's with no problem.

Our 3/4 assy is fine in the low 20's. We sail this boat with shy crew so we tend to be more conservative.

14-10-2008, 23:13	#1
Acadia Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Saint Petersburg, FL Boat: Hunter 40 Posts: 98	Cruising spinnaker weight Hello, I have been searching all the use sail website for a ASY spinnaker and I found one. The only thing is that it's a racing chute. Very high quality all radial, great condition but the material weight is .6oz Polyester. I don't think I will want to fly it in anything much greater than 15kts. I was looking for a 1.5oz mostly for durability. boat. The guy selling it says it would work perfect of course. But as I am new to all of this, I just wanted to see what some of you thought. Negatives...positives? Thanks

15-10-2008, 00:52	#4
swagman Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Winter - land based UK south coast. Summer - sailing. We are currently on slow passage to Portugal. Boat: Hanse 461 - Swagman Posts: 1,316	You could......but IMHO most of the winds you'll encounter when cuising will be light..........so a lighter sail would be much more functional. When the winds are heavy a poled out headsail would be a better bet plus also easier to handle. Do remember a race cut tri-radial will have bigger shoulders than a designed cruising spinnaker - meaning it might take a bit more to trim or need to be over-trimmed to retain its shape without adjustment. G'wan, take it - you'll love sweeping past those others on the same course............ JOHN __________________ Read our boring cruising blog via http://www.yotblog.com/swagman/3099

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14-10-2008, 23:30	#2
Evan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver, Can. Boat: Woods 40' catamaran Posts: 273	How big is your boat? A typical 30' cruising boat can get by with a 0.75 oz and 0.6 oz isn't that different. A 40' cruising boat should think hard about 1.5 oz because it is more bulletproof and deals with the larger loads of the higher sail area

14-10-2008, 23:34	#3
Acadia Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Saint Petersburg, FL Boat: Hunter 40 Posts: 98	Its a 40' boat 18,000 lbs Perhaps I should keep looking for that 1.5 Thanks

15-10-2008, 04:45	#5
Joli Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,588	I'm not a big fan of poly for kites. The material is more stable the nylon but not as durable. I have also seen it develop a shudder when sailing in lightish air and some chop, seems like the nylon kites have more dampening in that condition. I do agree with Swagman though, buy a ligher sail, you don't need 1.5 ounce. You probably will not be flying the kite in 45 knots. Our 3/4 oz kites have regularly seen 30, once in a while they have seen mid 40's with no problem. Our 3/4 assy is fine in the low 20's. We sail this boat with shy crew so we tend to be more conservative.