Spinnaker usage in side winds, how high ?

[martti]

Hi
Maybe big impact in form/ size of spinnaker, but is there any "rule of thumb" how much in side wind should spinnaker be used ?

One answer of course -just before it broach-.

Also in mild and stable wind controlling is easier, but let's ask opinions in wind of 10-15 knots.

Br,
-Martti

[MartyB]

Are you trying to reach with the spin? or go downwind? Also type of spin, ie Assymetric or symetric spin? 10-15 you should/may be able to reach with a spin, depending upon the size. I've gotten to 60* with my AS on my Arcadia, real similar in size to your 29.2. Then again, my AS is 590#/55sqM vs a max being in the 680#/63sqM range. Cut does make or break you as you try to point closer than 90* to the wind, along with wind strength. Reality is, you should be able to run down wind upwards of 30-35knots if you reduce the spin some in size too.

Not sure if this is answering the question, but simple answer, you should be able to get pretty close to 90* in stable wind, gusty would be tougher obviously.
Marty

[martti]

Hi
Thanks Marty for comments.

Only symetric spinnaker was in question.

Background of question was that once I tried in very mild wind to turn from backwind to side wind, and wonder where is the point what I don't want to pass in 10+ knots. I also think about 90 degree of side wind, but much up to conditions (like always).

I assume that assymetric sail can go much easier in sidewind.

Br,
-Martti

[renegade27]

I've been inside 60 deg with my asymmetric, but being a "newbie" to spinnaker sailing, abandoned that reach once the wind started getting closer to 15 than 10!

I was much more concerned about my ability to get it down than the ability for the boat to handle it. I am almost always sailing shorthanded - "no, release the OTHER green and white rope!!!"

[krawall]

I think symmetrics are usually cut fuller than asyms, so you may be able to reach but I don't think you can go much higher than 90 (apparent)

My experience on another boat that uses a symmetric was that the full sail heeled the boat unnecessary and this in turn didn't let us point too high.

You can always fly an asymmetric on a run or a symmetric on a reach but neither will perform well. The flatter the sail is cut, the better for reaching. The fuller the sail is cut, the better for running.

Let us know your findings, would be interesting to hear. And give us information about the spinnaker specifcation.

Tom

[martti]

Hi
I managed to try again spinnaker in about 90 degree side wind, in fact in very mild wind (3m/s). The result was that speed was less than what I got with front sail. It was set almost like gennaker would be (if I would have one .
What I thought to learn about that was that gennaker could be the choice where spinnaker is not - now only there is mission to learn where is that angle, and should I have gennaker


SPL = 3,19m
SL = 10,42m
SMW = 6,23m

And the boat is SO 29.2

-Martti

[MartyB]

Martti,

As far as a gennaker or equal assymetrical sail goes.......I like the one I have on my Arcadia. Lookig at specs, very similar! me / you LOA 29'6" / 28' 11" LWL 24' 5" / 25'3" beam 10'4" / 9'9" draft 5'4" / 4'7" Disp 6175 / 6283 Ballast 2360 / 2227 Main SA 161 / 215 genoa lists you at 215, I am at 220 for 100% foretriangle and up to 345 for a 155. I'm totaling 195 for a full roach main, 345 total sa 540.

My Gennaker is 580, and have hit 6+ knots using it at 60* to the wind in 8-12 knot winds, the 155 would have been .5-1 knot slower I can not find the conversions for the rig, top of mast/SL? is 38' J/spl? is 11' 8".

found the sail measure differences
I J P E
arcadia 37.3 11.8 32.3 10
29.2 34.2 10.3 34.1 10.2

With the I/J measure being what will make or break the spin/genoa size's. P/E is the main triangle.
In some cases, I think you would find the gennaker to help.

Marty