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Several new sailors have asked how to fly a spinnaker. It
can be daunting if you are not prepared to handle that huge, delicate sail. The appeal
of course is down wind speed. The following links are great guides
to flying a spinnaker:
I would add, in respect of rigging a spinnaker:
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Run your pole lift and downhaul lines to the cockpit for ease
of adjustment.
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If you have the option, install a spinnaker pole track on the front of
the mast for range adjustment rather than one or two pad eyes. It is
best to keep the spinnaker pole attached to the mast when changing
the angle under load.
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Ensure that the placement of your spinnaker halyard
doesn't interfere with your foresail.
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Your sheets should run as far back to the stern as
possible. Mine run (outside the lifelines of course) to blocks
mounted to the toe rails holes with shackles just ahead of the aft
stanchions (I have no stern rail). They then run inside the
lifelines to a second set of "ratcheting" blocks at or just
ahead of the next set of stanchions forward from the stern. This
positioning allow maximum opening of the chute and control much like
driving a team of horses (or so I'm led to believe) while looking
forward watching the trim on the chute. The ratcheting blocks make
it easier to hold the sheet in heavier wind as a little tension holds it
in place. You can sheet in under tension as the ratchet turns and
you to ease the sheet through the block to release all tension.
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If you find the chute difficult to trim in high wind,
you can choke it by installing a twing, sometimes called a tweaker or a barber
haul. This is a line that runs from amidships out to the end of the
sheet where it attaches to the clew. When it gets windy and
you want to depower the spinnaker, haul in on the twing to choke the
spinnaker. The same line can be also used to sheet a jib in tighter or
choke it.
Practice your spinnaker technique in light wind to start with
and remember to take it down in the wind shadow of the mainsail and jib.
Doug Murray
Siesta sail #41
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