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**glenn.225** · 10-02-2012, 10:45

I was shopping for an new to me asymetrical spinnaker for my 27' Albin Vega. I came accross this one, but the leach seems a little long?

Luff: 30' 9" Leach: 37' 4" Foot:16' 2" ASYMETRICAL/CRUISING/POLELESS SPINNAKER, COMES IN AN ATN SNUFFER COMPLETE WITH HOISTING LINES AND HARDWARE L.O.A. 31' 9". NEW/UNUSED.

Otherwise it seems a good fit and would be right in between my current symmetrical spinnaker (Luff: 30' 4", Foot: 18' 2") and the light genoa (Luff: 30' 10", Leach: 29' 6" Foot:16' ). It's close, except for the leach, to the free flying drifter as detailed in the sail plan. http://www.albinvega.com/pdf/class_rules_2006.pdf

Price is a lot better than my local loft which I do try to support.

But would this sail fit/work on my boat?

Glenn

**glenn.225** · 13-02-2012, 14:12

Well, since I recived no input on this. I decided to look at another, it may be a better fit.

Asymmetrical spinnaker (Luff: 29' 8", Leach: 26' 10" Foot: 19')

Since asymmetrical spinnakers weren't common when my boat was build there is no size listed in the sail plan, so I'll just try this and see what happens.

Glenn

Surrymark · 13-02-2012, 14:20

Doesn't the leach length determine the amount of belly in the sail? Perhaps it also would hang down closer to the water. I'll measure the leach on mine, for a Cape Dory 27.

foolishsailor · 13-02-2012, 14:41

Leech length is irrelevant to determine suitability for the boat. The leech length would be one of a couple of measurements that would determine the ideal sailing angles of the chute. Is it for sailing deep or just for light air sailing upto a beam reach.

The luff length would determine suitability. The luff should generally be shorter than the distance from the top of your forestry to the top of your pulpit. But that is very general. You have to ask; was it designed to be flown from a retractable pole, was it designed to have the tack all the way on deck or let's say a meter above, was it designed to be hoisted all the way to the sheeves or flown slightly lower. All these things are determined by the cut of the sail and the previous owner should be able to tell you that. If your boats rigging can mimic these within reason than it is suitable

**glenn.225** · 13-02-2012, 15:10

Ah, now we're getting somewhere. This is the sort of info I was looking for, being relitively new to this there is just so much you are unaware of. I'll have to look into these questions, thanks.

Glenn

**Bash** · 13-02-2012, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn.225

I was shopping for an new to me asymetrical spinnaker for my 27' Albin Vega. I came accross this one, but the leach seems a little long?

Luff: 30' 9" Leach: 37' 4" Foot:16' 2" ASYMETRICAL/CRUISING/POLELESS SPINNAKER, COMES IN AN ATN SNUFFER COMPLETE WITH HOISTING LINES AND HARDWARE L.O.A. 31' 9". NEW/UNUSED.

Those dimensions seem screwed up. On a cruising asymmetrical, the leech is usually somewhere around .92 of the luff. On that sail, it's 1.29 of the luff.

Walk away from it.

**mikereed100** · 13-02-2012, 17:31

I wonder is this sail could be an old blooper that the seller is mistaking for an assymetrical?

**glenn.225** · 13-02-2012, 18:49

Who knows what it is?
But in the last few days I've learned a little about spinnakers, maybe with a little more learning I may eventually figure out what I'm doing.

I sail mostly single handed even if the Admiral is aboard so I've only had the symmetrical up a couple of times in lighter winds. I think an asymmetrical will be easier to handle, less running back and forth.

Glenn