How do i use the spinnaker?

[scoobert]

SSSOOOOOO i unbagged the spinnaker yesterday when sailing downwind.
i am a bit lost.
i found the tack, clew, and head. also the sock, that was already mostly on the sail.
i also found this:


So what i know for sure, is this gets attached to the head, and also the halyard, goes around the jib furler, with jib rolled up, so as to be hoisted.

Question 1. where do i attach the tack and clew?
2 if i attach the tack at the front under the jib furler, how can i sail downwind?
question 3. i have no pole, can this sail be used for downwind?

the boat is not rigged for a pole. has never had one,but this sail has been used on this boat....?
very lost.

[bbowers2004]

Is the sail asymmetrical?

[scoobert]

i am sorry, i do not know. i understand that only one type can be used without a pole. i must have that type.

[Sailmonkey]

You essentially have an atn tacker in that wood bead doodad. this video shows pretty well how to rig it. Run the sheets to a snatch block on the toe rail then to the winch.

ATN Spinnaker Sleeve and ATN Tacker - YouTube

do not attempt to fly the spin for the first time in high winds, or offshore with light winds and a swell. Learn how to play with it before you catch it on the rig and tear it.

[Paul Elliott]

Yes, that would be an asymmetrical spinnaker, and the beads attach the tack to the furled headsail. You do need a tackline on the tack, and it's good to be able to adjust (or completely release) it.

An asym is trimmed kind of like a big genoa, but you let the tackline out until the spinnaker "rotates" a bit to windward. With an asym you will not want to sail dead downwind -- the sail will not stay well-filled. Head up ten degrees or so and jibe as needed to make your course. The spinnaker (both asym and symmetrical) can be quite squirrley. They are what I would call intrinsically unstable sails. You can trim them for controlled sailing, and then if a gust or wave spins you a little bit the sail wants to pull your boat on its ear. In light air, or when things get out of control, the spinnaker can tie itself in knots around your headstay. Practice in gentle conditions. Once you master this sail, it can really help you get downwind. There are many resources on line to help you understand asymmetrical spinnaker trim.

[scuba0_1]

Wow thats a great video

[Hud3]

There are resources on the Internet on handling an asymmetrical spinnaker. Wait until you have some really benign conditions to try it for the first time. I had a sock for mine which allowed me to set it and douse it single-handed.

Here's Quantum's take on it...

[Tonyjay]

Originally Posted by Hud3

There are resources on the Internet on handling an asymmetrical spinnaker. Wait until you have some really benign conditions to try it for the first time. I had a sock for mine which allowed me to set it and douse it single-handed. Here's Quantum's take on it...

Link?

[Hud3]

PDF file in the link I posted. Download, save and open.

[Tonyjay]

Interesting - didn't come through on my iPad.