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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Spinnaker Question

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/16/2005 : 16:43:59

The following 2 pictures are of the spinnaker that came with my Capri. It has a date on it of May 7th 1982, so it is probably the original. Would anyone be able to tell me anything about i? Like what type it is? Is it terribly obsolete? Anything?

Thanks!

Rick

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 17:00:02

It looks like an asymmetrical spin but I can't be sure. Obsolete? Nah. It may be an '82 but keep in mind it probably wasn't used much. It looks in good shape, again hard to tell. Mine is an asym, came with a deployment sock. Very handy. Anyhow, put yours up on a light air day and try it!

Bob

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 18:29:53

Actually, I'd put my money on a symetrical spinaker for three reasons.

1. Appearance: The two luffs look to be identical in length and the upper sections above the bar look to be evenly distributed. If you measure the luffs and they are equal, you have a symetrical spin.
2. It came off of a Capri which is a racing sailboat that doesn't have a bow sprit. Most racing boats wouldn't have an asym without a bow sprit.
3. Back in 82 asymetrical spinnakers weren't commonplace. they started making their name in the 90's.

If it doesn't have any holes and has been stored in a dry location it isn't obsolete. As some spinnakers stretch they actually become better with age before blowing out. Even if its beaten up a bit, it could be a great spinnaker for crappy weather or untrained crew.

Edited by - Champipple on 07/16/2005 18:31:23

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 19:39:01

Rick,

It's symetrical. Besides the cut, you can see the colored luff/leech tapes. Wanna sell it?

-- Leon Sisson

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 20:56:45

Hey Rick, Your Loos is on its way.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 21:08:58

Thanks folks. It looks to be in perfect condition, none of the seams or material show any signs of wear. It even has the turtle to keep it in. I just didn't want to waste my time learning how to fly it if it wasn't what was in common use these days. Leon, thanks for te offer, but I'd like to learn how to fly it. I go and watch the J80's race every Thursday night on the lake and they always use their spinnakers on the downwind runs, so it seems a good thing to have.
Tom, thanks for the update, appreciate you sending it off so promptly.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 10:58:32

It appears to be a tri-radial which is was the highest pointing symmetrical spinnaker design. Each corner is sewn radialy out toward the center, it allows for a flatter sail which can be carried higher. It is a keeper, fly it and enjoy.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 17:47:32

Rick, I have one just like it Plus 2 more. These were the "Fast" spinnakers back in the 80's. If you want to know more about setting up the lines and getting the sail up and trimming it Let me know.

This is taken from a post I wrote for the San Juan 24

Spinnaker Setup- First you need to pack the spinnaker in the turtle
correctly to make sure you dont twist the spinnaker when hoisting.
Find the head of the spinnaker and go down each side and find the
clews, holding the three edges in your hand pack the chute into the
turtle with the head and clews at the top.

Running the guy and sheet- Everything must be run outside of the
lifelines and the forstay. You will need two ratchet blocks that will
attach to the farthest point on the toe rail. all the way aft. Run
1/4" to 5/16 line with a snap shackle on the ends. You don't want to
tie the lines to the spinnaker, because when something goes wrong it
happens really fast, and you dont want to be up on the front of the
boat messing around with undoing a knot. Lets start with the guy.
assuming a starboard rounding. Run the guy thru the ratchet block,
outside of all the stantions, the spinnaker pole should be laying flat on the deck with the end out a little bit between the bow polpit to starboard, take the guy and put over the pulpit and down to the end of the pole, then around the forstay and back around half of the toe rail, attach the guy here with the shackle, at this point take the spinnaker halyard and attach it to the guy also on the toe rail.

Next:
take your sheet and do the same. thru the ratchet block and outside of the stantions and attach it with the guy, and halyard.

Tweekers - You can add tweekers to the toerail to control the guy and
sheet from making the spinnaker fly off to high. I would suggest a
small block attached to the toe rail with a 1/4" line that has a snap
shackle at the end. You run the spinnaker sheet and guy thru this on
each side. attach a camcleat to the deck of the boat that has a
fairlead on the base back where your trimmer is located. now when the
wind picks up you can add down force on the guy and the sheet.

one, two three - Ok you are about to round the winward mark to
starboard. ONE, Get the pole ready. Attach the downhaul to the
spinnaker pole and the topping lift attach the pole to the mast ring
take up the slack on the lines so the pole is level. TWO attach the
guy, sheet and the spinnaker halyard to the spinnaker, Most spinnakers will have a red side for port(sheet side) and green or blue for the guy

(starboard side) The location of the turtle is up to you, some like it up on the pulpit and others like it in the companionway. THREE after rounding the mark, start hoisting the spinnaker and pulling the guy hard to the pole, square the pole to the wind with the guy, and bring in the sheet so the spinnaker fills.

NOW_ Let me say I am no expert on flying a spinnaker but have been the trimmer on one for a season. We have had it hourglass, got stuck to the forstay, and made a crab net out of it too many times to count. It takes allot of practice. Its the prettest sail on the boat and also the most dangerous one to fly. It will knock you down, make you mad, and even scare the crap out of you, but its allot of fun when you get it right. I would get some practice on another boat, then find someone to crew with you who has done it before and is experenced.

If anyone wants to add feel free to, There are different setups on
where to lead the lines, but if you are racing a SJ24 I will assume
that the trimmer is sitting on the aft bench running the lines and the helmsman is forward. We have two ratchet blocks on both sides for our setup One is as far back as possible, then another forward of the secondary winch, then the sheet or guy goes back to the winch or a cam cleat. When its light wind out you can just adjust the sheet by hand but when it picks up you will need the winchs.

Chris McKillip

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