Launching an Asymmetric Spinnaker - It's Easy!!!

[@SailingTipsCa]

I’ve had a few comments on other forums that I’d like to post here: 1) One person commented that we should tape the halyard and tack shackles to prevent pre-mature release. We do this sometimes, but not always, depending on the location, conditions and consequences of an inadvertent release. To that end we generally don’t tape shackles for light and medium air sailing in local waters, but do for more serious conditions or more remote locations. 2) Several have commented that pre-feeding the tack can lead to “shrimping” the spinnaker, or having it pulled under the boat, and that you should raise with halyard first, then pull out the tack line. This is definitely a consideration and you don’t want to take your eyes off the spinnaker even for a second with the tack pre-fed! Despite some risk of “shrimping” the tack-first and simultaneous tack-and-halyard methods are pretty common in racing circles around here because they allow you to hoist as you round the windward mark and start drawing as quickly as possible, plus it reduce the chance of an hourglass. Halyard first does keep the spinnaker out of the water, but it’s a bit slower and you’re more likely to get an hourglass. I’ve done hundreds of launches with this technique on various boats and never “shrimped” yet (at least during launch) although we are very careful to watch for signs the waves may tug the kite out of the bag. If the waves start tugging at the pre-fed tack a crew member simply holds it taught until the hoist is complete.

[@billb6064]

On another boat I have we tape the triggers or snap shackles as that is what I was taught at J-World. One race I neglected to tape them and we blew a sheet (could have been worse). I really think it may have been because of cheap (knockoff) hardware too. I never had an issue with pre-feeding the tack dropping down to the water though.

[@SailingTipsCa]

@@billb6064 Did you sail on Hula Girl at J-world? Taping is definitely not a bad thing to do, especially on longer races, although it does make it slower to change the spin gear from one side of the boat to the other in round-the-buoys racing.

[@billb6064]

@@SailingTipsCa No I went to J-World of Annapolis and sailed on J-80's for a racing clinic. As far as taping, I am an electrician and on small wire pulls we leave a courtesy tab to yank off the tape quickly, helps if you use good tape too!

[@SailingTipsCa]

@@billb6064 Sounds like a fun clinic! And great suggestion to use a courtesy tab for quick removal!

[@GeorgeIvanPare]

Excellent video as always. Thank you so much for putting these out.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you liked it - thanks for the encouragement!

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Thanks much. Very clearly described and shown, as usual. 2:26 Aha, I see the effectively Y shaped bridle for the clew sheets.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes the Y-shaped sheets theoretically prevent the clew from catching on the forestay as easily, but it still happens sometimes…

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

@@SailingTipsCa Because the angle of the sheets by the cringle is a little less acute? Seems like the difference would be pretty small.

[@SailingTipsCa]

@@LoanwordEggcorn I think the difference is actually pretty small, if even detectable, because I’ve used sheets with both the Y-pendant and without and don’t notice much of a difference in terms of how often it gets snagged on the forstay…both still do!!!

[@pwnerpinistic]

Great informative video! Good use of a first person POV. Places you right in the action. Thanks G!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you liked it - I used a chest cam for that video and you never know quite where it's pointing until you review the footage!

[@raydavies2545]

WOW… you covered it all. I am grateful … I hope you won😀…Thanks for sharing,

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! Didn't win this one but we had lots of fun!

[@obiepressman3093]

That was useful. Thanks!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad it was helpful - thanks for watching!

[@Fubarpapa]

Very nice

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you liked it!

[@garthharrington9683]

Thanks Garry.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - for me the box bag is the ticket! Some people sew integral bags into their wing nets, which is another interesting approach, with the main downside being that you have to pack the spinnaker in there when you go out, and it often gets soaked with spray, so you have to dry it out after.

[@trey1531]

Is that grey foam on your deck or some type of paint?

[@SailingTipsCa]

it's actually just paint with anti-skid that contrasts with the white. I think it looks cool but if I lived in a warmer climate and sailed more with bare feet I'd want to go with something lighter because it gets quite hot!