I don’t want to leave the Rigger without having proper downwind sailing capability.
They had me leave while they are waiting for some
parts. So it’s a good chance for me to make sure to get a
spinnaker in order.
Initially, I just want something rudimentary. For DDW.
I’m a very lazy sailor and I’m not really keen on tacking downwind or doing much
work. I like to set a course, set a sail, and mostly forget it unless the
wind changes direction.
I can’t really remember how I used to fly spinnakers. It wasn’t very common because only one of my boats had one. The
Catalac.
So, it had an ATN sock thing. Like with a plastic hoop or two. If I remember correctly, you hoisted this sock up the
mast, tied off the bottom, then pulled on something to
lift that sock all the way up to the top, revealing the
spinnaker. I think that’s how it worked. It was a symmetric spinnaker.
I found it relatively easy to use. Because of the smooth plastic rings, it was really able to douse the spinnaker easily.
I know it may not be completely ideal, but remember what I am doing right now. I am trying this lifestyle out a bit again to see if I like it still. It’s been a long time.
What should I do for my spinnaker?
I want to be able to just tie it off to bow
cleats for now. I don’t have a
bowsprit yet. Or possibly tie it off to one bow cleat and one miship cleat. That could cover a LOT of downwind sailing angles. This is like a back up default plan that I would like to have.
The other plan, which very well might happen, would be to put a turning block aft and lead the spinnaker sheet all the way back forward to the
mast area. Then to my sail control table inside the
boat.
In either case, how can I most simply rig a spinnaker without a
bowsprit for now?
I don’t really need anything too fancy. I just need it to
work.
In much of the same spirit as my
bridle. All I do is use a Prussik for one side and tie a bowline to the Prussik for the other side of the
bridle. It works fantastically.
I would like this type of simplicity if possible. Not to rely on pieces of
hardware. But to rely on simplicity and knowledge.
First step is symmetrical or asymmetrical?
Second step would be how to rig that without a bowsprit.