Quote:
Originally Posted by grunzster
Who here has a spinnaker, and how often do you REALLY use it?
Is there really that much of an advantage (speed or otherwise) to using a spinnaker, over a 150 genoa with a pole?
Besides, I'm looking to cruise, not race.
Also, it kind of defeats the purpose of running all your lines aft, when you're going to have this giant sail that you need to go to the foredeck to hoist anyway.
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Yes, below 10 knots I can set it
single handed, no sweat. Above that there is a tendency to make tangles if there is noone to sheet it home. Nothing dangerous.
Up to about 15 knots true, it is definatly a cruising sail. Above that, fun if you really want to cover miles.
I just came around the delmarva and flew a chute continuously in 5 - 15 knots from the
head of the Chesapeake to Deale, and from Chincoteague to Lewis. The alternative was motoring. I sail with a mimimal
family crew, and with a sleave, it is easy. I tack it to a
bridle and do outside jibes.
Does it add speed? Generally at least 1.5 knots, depending on the point of sail and
wind. Expect to get the boat speed very close to the apparent
wind speed, perhaps 1-2 knots less. I do know that no one, including the monohulls that were
racing, kept up as we came down the Bay. Quickly walked away from a
Gemini 105mc with a reacher up, and I know the Gemini and the
PDQ 32 to be very close in speed.
Is it hard to trim? No, but there is a
learning curve. However, in settled conditions, once trimmed in properly, the auto pilot can handle it for hours at a time. You have to over trim a tick to make that
work, but when cruising, who cares.
Off-shore is fine too, IMHO. The worst condition is light wind with
power boat wakes. A genny might be better, since the waves do not match the wind.
If the wind is over 15 knots true or I am really trying to do my best, I will hand steer.
Really, what a chute does is help you go deeper off the wind with good speed.