DOWNWIND SAILS, A SEA TRIAL: Asymmetrical, Spinnaker, & Code D (Ep. 30)

[@livehbg6172]

Thanks for your explanation and demonstration of these sails!

[@sailing_scout]

Thanks for watching! Much less intimidating now that we’ve actually used them on our boat.

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

Catching up. Thank you.

[@jamieblack9349]

First off the thing you call a foot is the tack. The foot rubs between the tack and the clew. On a Symmetrical spinnaker you have two clews port and starboard there is no tack. To run a symmetrical on a cat, you need sheets going aft as well as down hauls going to the bow in order to keep the clews down lower.

[@ultratraileric]

For a spinnaker, it really helps to have some downhauls about midships to keep the kite from going too far aloft. A spinnaker pole to windward also helps keep it under control.

[@sailing_scout]

Awesome - thanks for the tips!

[@RebelRobin501]

I enjoyed this a lot. Everything I know about sailing I learned from Patrick O’Brian novels, You Tube videos, and Jimmy Buffett songs. One of the comments of the guys helping you makes me have to ask: Do some catamaran owners suffer from bowsprit envy?

[@sailing_scout]

A number of catamarans actually have bowsprits. Us not having one effected my sail purchase. I couldn’t get a code zero sail without one, as bowsprits are built to take more vertical load (they’re anchored below on the bows) which is necessary for a big sail that goes forward if the boat and goes upwind. ‘Kites’ aka nylon sails that are meant to be pushed by the wind vs use a foiling effect have much less vertical tension. All that said, I’m happy with the new sail - it does well downwind which was the whole goal.

[@johnjunior6101]

No matter what you hope for sooner or later what you do not want to run into with the sails will happen. Hope for the best but plan for the worst. I truly believe you both will handle it if a strong wind pops up and you have the new sail up. Remember to trust yourselves also.

[@sailing_scout]

Thank you for the encouragement! And I totally agree. Multiplied by so much time, the worst will happen eventually but that will be ok too. Thanks for watching!

[@franckbrunie4759]

Get the Clew first out of the bag/ sock. Basically, the foot of the sail should be mostly out on the deck before hoisting. To drop the sock open the jib to remove the pressure on the sail.

[@sailing_scout]

Yes - all makes sense - thank you!

[@LairdUeberroth]

Where did you get those pretty coffee cups? I’d like to have an espresso in one of those on the water under a spinnaker running with the wind!

[@sailing_scout]

Unfortunately in order to have the moment above, you also have to spend time fighting with air in the fuel system, or whatever the issue of the day happens to be, but there are magical moments for sure!

[@WreckitMatt22]

Lit

[@easternsuneasternsun171]

You should have your main up ,helps protect it and makes it easier for dousing ,being you can put in the shadow . Also you use your engine to build soeed up to make it easier to collaose and douse it

[@sailing_scout]

Agreed. We were just playing around in VERY light wind for this sea trial.

[@haydenwatson7987]

The reason that you needed to crank in the code D with a winch was because you did not blow the sheet. Just let the sheet fly and then roll in the sail. it if a furler not a reefer. You had the same cause of problems with the Asymmetrical and sock. it will be hard to douse the sock anytime you have wind in the sail. have the helmsman blow the sheet all the way and then pull down the sock. Don't ease the sheet, let it completely loose. With a symmetrical spinnaker on a catamaran, you will have better control if you add a twing to each sheet. It is a line with a ring on the end that slides over the sheet that you run the line through a block on the bow cleat. It is used to minimize the amount of movement of the clews.

[@sailing_scout]

Thank you - I’ll try that next time! Also really like the twing suggestion.

[@Jim.Thunda]

Why rush, its all about hull speed and lifestyle.

[@sailing_scout]

Oh, Scout’s not going to win any races, but we’re hoping to be able to maintain progress in light, following winds. Thanks for watching!