Setting the Spinnaker

[gpshephe]

I bought a boat recently. I tested out everything. With one exception. The Spinnaker. I have never used a Spinnaker before. I have a question about flying it, but can t get a hold of the previous owner. It appears to be for a 38 Ericson. It says 1.5oz blaster on the bag. The bag has a ring around the top. I've read on the internet and have come to the conclusion( rightly or wrongly) that it's an Assymetrical one. I've also come to the conclusion ( rightly or wrongly ) that a horizontal boom is not needed? I have a whisker pole, but am curious if it's needed?
Raise the sail to the top, pull both sheets in, catch the wind? I'm still researching, but would appreciate some discussion.

[Lagoon4us]

Go to your nearest yacht club, join it and go out with others as crew, learn then go back to boat and attach halyard to head of kite........

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

Go to your nearest yacht club, join it and go out with others as crew, learn then go back to boat and attach halyard to head of kite........

Best possible advice. Second best: go out with an experienced sailor on your boat and let hime "show you the ropes".

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Best possible advice. Second best: go out with an experienced sailor on your boat and let hime "show you the ropes".

+1 end of thread. Good luck it's not difficult when all goes well it just gets hard sorting wineglasses, quick releases that don't and broaching.... Cheers

[Chuteman]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

Go to your nearest yacht club, join it and go out with others as crew, learn then go back to boat and attach halyard to head of kite........

A Spinnaker is not a sail to be taken lightly - too many things can happen including ones that can hurt or break gear
Rightly or Wrongly = a big gap.........a few assumptions in your observations so far, which have to be eliminated to get to facts.
Ring = probably a sock/snuffer that you are feeling

Whisker - usually not used with spinnaker, already enough going on when flying one to add anything else
That pole can be used with Genoa
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...=Whisker-Poles

You might want to start with reading articles, buy a book, search YouTube
THEN w/ someone who knows what they are doing or take it to a sailmaker - take the spinnaker off the boat and lay it out so you can verify what it is and what else is in the bag

You also need the rest of the gear - line(s), sheets, blocks, halyard, etc

It should be obvious on your boat if it uses a symmetrical vs asymmetrical BUT it may not be........again, a knowledgeable person will be able to assist.

It can be fun yet requires the right knowledge, practice and care

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by Chuteman

A Spinnaker is not a sail to be taken lightly - too many things can happen including ones that can hurt or break gear
Rightly or Wrongly = a big gap.........a few assumptions in your observations so far, which have to be eliminated to get to facts.
Ring = probably a sock/snuffer that you are feeling

Whisker - not used with spinnaker

You might want to start with reading articles, buy a book, search YouTube
THEN w/ someone who knows what they are doing or take it to a sailmaker - take the spinnaker off the boat and lay it out so you can verify what it is

You also need the rest of the gear - line(s), sheets, blocks, halyard, etc

It should be obvious on your boat if it uses a symmetrical vs asymmetrical BUT it may not be........again, a knowledgeable person will be able to assist.

It can be fun yet requires the right knowledge, practice and care

Did you mean to tag my post or the OP's? Cheers

[keepondancin]

Go to the Forespar Website and do a search. They have lot's of good info.

[Chuteman]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

Did you mean to tag my post or the OP's? Cheers

Yup, Agreeing + Supporting your comments........
in hopes OP might add up the "votes" .......which is why I used the Thumbs up smile avatar = Agree / Good Point.......at least that is how I use it

[Lagoon4us]

Of all people offering advice CHUTEMAN somehow seems VERY appropriate!!!!!
Cheers Frank

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by gpshephe

I bought a boat recently. I tested out everything. With one exception. The Spinnaker. I have never used a Spinnaker before. I have a question about flying it, but can t get a hold of the previous owner. It appears to be for a 38 Ericson. It says 1.5oz blaster on the bag. The bag has a ring around the top. I've read on the internet and have come to the conclusion( rightly or wrongly) that it's an Assymetrical one. I've also come to the conclusion ( rightly or wrongly ) that a horizontal boom is not needed? I have a whisker pole, but am curious if it's needed?
Raise the sail to the top, pull both sheets in, catch the wind? I'm still researching, but would appreciate some discussion.

A bit of online research leads me to believe your "blaster" is similar to a Doyle Utility Power Sail (UPS), "Code Zero" from another sailmaker, or other variants of this type of spinnaker which is designed for close reaching or sailing even closer to the wind.. Pretty much a light air only sail.

If I am right, the shape should be similar to a genoa, but with a longer luff than your biggest genoa. No pole needed, but you do need a way to attach the tack to your bow or forestay, and of course, sheets and a halyard.

Easiest way to check the sail is to wait for a no wind or light wind day and attach a halyard to the head of the sail, some sheets to the tack and clew, and hoist it to see what you have.. Or just lay it out on a lawn, and take some measurements.

[Chuteman]

Originally Posted by Lagoon4us

Of all people offering advice CHUTEMAN somehow seems VERY appropriate!!!!!
Cheers Frank

- humor works every time.....OK, most times

link to speedoo's Doyle comment - great for some visual/explanation
http://www.doylesails.com/cruising/d...ex.html#design

also his mention of Lawn - should have included to my "lay out" comment The sail even at 1.5oz appreciates TLC so a dry lawn area with no/very little wind is great for inspection or a friendly sail loft is great too

The suspense is building on what's in the bag