Downwind Sail for Ocean Race

[Bunnellr]

Most everything covered. I have asymmetric. And a sock, but often don't have much crew. Love the sock. My comment: whatever you get, test with the idea of determining mainsail impact. Past 160 degrees, I do better with my main fully down. Surprised me. I do not have pole and never go below 175. Wing-on-wing not an option for me. Too hard to control sails.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Bunnellr

Most everything covered. I have asymmetric. And a sock, but often don't have much crew. Love the sock. My comment: whatever you get, test with the idea of determining mainsail impact. Past 160 degrees, I do better with my main fully down. Surprised me. I do not have pole and never go below 175. Wing-on-wing not an option for me. Too hard to control sails.

Pretty much describes my experience also, though I have a pole and use it a lot with the asym.

[alctel]

Go for the symmetric spinny if you have the crew for it. They are kind of out of fashion nowadays but I love mine and even fly it single-handed a lot

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by alctel

Go for the symmetric spinny if you have the crew for it. They are kind of out of fashion nowadays but I love mine and even fly it single-handed a lot

Why? You haven't actually mentioned any reasons or supporting facts?

Whereas going for the asymmetric + pole option is an attempt to give the benefits of both.

- For ease of handling and/or with limited crew the asymmetric can be very simply flown from the bow on it's tackline (even just with the tackline and 1 sheet, to be really lazy).

- But when looking for more performance, or to sail deeper on a long passage, the pole can be used to mimic the effects of a symmetrical spinnaker.

That seems like a win to me.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

Why? You haven't actually mentioned any reasons or supporting facts?

Whereas going for the asymmetric + pole option is an attempt to give the benefits of both.

- For ease of handling and/or with limited crew the asymmetric can be very simply flown from the bow on it's tackline (even just with the tackline and 1 sheet, to be really lazy).

- But when looking for more performance, or to sail deeper on a long passage, the pole can be used to mimic the effects of a symmetrical spinnaker.

That seems like a win to me.

I found that persuasive, and I have now bought a 200m2 (about 2150 square feet) A2. Now trying to figure out how to ship it from the US.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I found that persuasive, and I have now bought a 200m2 (about 2150 square feet) A2. Now trying to figure out how to ship it from the US.

Congrats

Looking forward to future progress and updates.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

Congrats

Looking forward to future progress and updates.

I am very grateful for all of your excellent advice!

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I am very grateful for all of your excellent advice!

You are most welcome

[Adelie]

If you want something that can be used short-handed after the race then ignore the symmetrical spinnaker.

That leaves
A. Asymmetrical
B. Code Zero
C. Drifter.

Drifter is almost certainly the cheapest. If you have a double groove headstay foil you could set it on with the Yankee and fly both simultaneously.

[scareygary]

For a lot less money than a sock, I once sewed up what friends called a 'goalie' for distance ocean racing. The 'goalie' is a contraption that will make you much less worried about a asymmetric spinnaker wrap, so you have more confidence leaving it up at night or in rolly conditions.... The 'goalie' is made in a triangle shape, just like a 100 jib, but it's just the outline of a sail. Then, one sews in horizontal pieces of webbing in several spots.... I had a much smaller boat, so my horizontal pieces were about 5' apart. The 'goalie' goes up on a halyard, is attached to the forestay, secured at the deck and back at the mast. It can be made so that it slides up a furled genoa, if that's what you have. The idea is that the goalie permits air to blow through it, obviously, put it PREVENTS a spinnaker from wrapping around the forestay... i wish I could draw a picture....it's so simple... You could make one with some webbing or light line, a sewing machine (for webbing) in a day.....and it could make your stress level go WAY down! I no longer have the boat I built if for, and I gave up ocean racing because of advanced years, but friends used this system some years ago to win the double handled class of the Transpac, (or maybe the Pacific Cup?)....It also makes a DOUSE and set less nervewracking. I think one could be used with a symmetric sail, too, but would have to be adjusted somewhat because of the pole and its topping lift which could get in the way during a gybe..... Can you visualize this?

[slug]

Originally Posted by Adelie

If you want something that can be used short-handed after the race then ignore the symmetrical spinnaker.

That leaves
A. Asymmetrical
B. Code Zero
C. Drifter.

Drifter is almost certainly the cheapest. If you have a double groove headstay foil you could set it on with the Yankee and fly both simultaneously.

In a perfect world you would empty everything from the fore peak ...then fill it up completely with crisp new sails ..upwind sails , reaching sails , downwind sails , light wind sails ....a huge pile of good stuff

[Suijin]

It just occurred to me that your boat has a rating (hopefully) and that rating is dependant on a specified sail inventory. Before you buy anything you should check and see what sails are allowed for the rating to be valid. With your boat it's likely a symmetrical, and with a max area.

If a leg is dead downwind then your boat will be faster point to point with the symmetrical. It's lighter sleds that really perform with assyms. Then again trimming and tending a symmetrical for max performance can be exhausting on a long race as you need someone on both the sheet and guy.

[thomm225]

I wouldn't worry too much about your sails etc because if you haven't raced much you will be so far behind that it won't matter except for trying not to be DFL

[scareygary]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I wouldn't worry too much about your sails etc because if you haven't raced much you will be so far behind that it won't matter except for trying not to be DFL

Boy, aren't you encouraging....? He said it wasn't a 'serious' race. BTW: I won my class and got a beautiful 3' tall traveling trophy for the first ocean race I ever entered. It was only 100 miles. Wonderful sailing Tartan 30 was one reason. I used an asym, btw....'cuz that's all the spinnaker I had in those days!

[GILow]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I wouldn't worry too much about your sails etc because if you haven't raced much you will be so far behind that it won't matter except for trying not to be DFL

I dunno mate, I’d bet Dockhead is a much better sailor than a bunch of off-the-beach cat sailors. I’m tipping a top five finish.