Re:Asymetrical Cruising Spinnaker

Chris, I've been mostly lurking due to workload and travel, but came across your question. On our Cal 29, we took a symmetrical spinnaker and just attached one clew to a line run through a snatchblock mounted on the pulpit, and flew it as if it were asymmetrical. We probably couldn't point as high as if it were the proper cut, but from beam reach and further off the wind, it worked great. It might be a good think to try first before sinking money into an asym sail. We ended up getting a 170 headsail out of very light material - a drifter - and used that instead as it was much easier to manage since it was on the roller furler. (I'd recommend a sock for the chute if you go that route.) And with our dual track furler foil, we were able to run up the standard 150 genny with it, and drop the main, for an effortless "wing-and-wing" rig for dead downwind that is easier and probably more effective than any spinnaker, at least in light winds. Alfred 1973 Tartan 34C #288 "Jambalaya"

Thanks for the insight there. I've hears several foks metion that rigging a s7ymmetrical chute htis way is a pretty goos "poor man's asym".. From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alfred Poor Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 2:15 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re:Asymetrical Cruising Spinnaker Chris, I've been mostly lurking due to workload and travel, but came across your question. On our Cal 29, we took a symmetrical spinnaker and just attached one clew to a line run through a snatchblock mounted on the pulpit, and flew it as if it were asymmetrical. We probably couldn't point as high as if it were the proper cut, but from beam reach and further off the wind, it worked great. It might be a good think to try first before sinking money into an asym sail. We ended up getting a 170 headsail out of very light material - a drifter - and used that instead as it was much easier to manage since it was on the roller furler. (I'd recommend a sock for the chute if you go that route.) And with our dual track furler foil, we were able to run up the standard 150 genny with it, and drop the main, for an effortless "wing-and-wing" rig for dead downwind that is easier and probably more effective than any spinnaker, at least in light winds. Alfred 1973 Tartan 34C #288 "Jambalaya"