[C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets

[Denny Browne]

You can use 3/8" Sta-set with little problem, but it can get a little heavy
in light air, particularly if it gets wet. It's double braid polyester,
which absorbs water. That pulls the clew down and misshapes the sail. 

I use 10mm (about 13/32") Spect-set from New England ropes, but it's
discontinued. It's a spectra, or Dynema core with polyester cover. Spectra
(Dynema) does not absorb water. I stripped the cover for about 20 feet so
there is very little weight pulling down on the clew and way more strength
than the application requires. The stripped core is also far easier to put
an eye splice in. The result is that it'll fly in very light air eliminating
the need for light air sheets, although I have those too. The 8mm Spect-set
II would have been fine, but the 10mm is a little easier on the hands
because the larger size is easier to grip, especially when it's a little
windy and I found a screamin' deal from West Marine on it a couple of years
ago. I find the 8mm to be a little stiff, too, but that may work itself out
as a spinnaker sheet.

West Marine has a special on green 8mm Spect-set II for 56 cents a foot. The
8mm Endura Braid is great, probably the best, but it's $2.43 a foot today.
Another spectra core option is Maxibraid Plus. Better Dynema core, but also
discontinued and very hard to find. I built two 8mm spinnaker halyards out
of that stuff and it would be a wonderful, high strength very lightweight
sheet. If you can find it.

By the way, if you're going to use a tack line, I'd encourage a vectran core
line for that and lead it aft to the cockpit. The tack line takes a far
greater load than the sheet (as does the halyard) and you really don't want
it to stretch. Spectra core is fine for that, but it should be a little
bigger than the sheet. The stretch probably only matters if you're racing,
but the light weight sheet will enable you to fly the sail and keep the boat
moving in pretty light air.

More than you wanted to know, I'm sure. Good luck with the search.

Denny Browne
A Cappella #935
Redondo Beach

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of MARTIN and
SUSAN RAPHAEL
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 8:23 AM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets



I recently purchased an asymmetrical spinnaker and am anxious to try it out.
I need to purchase sheets for it and wonder what you might recommend for
type and diameter.  I will be sailing in the Puget Sound area, where the
winds are typically light.  What works for you?
Thanks,
Martin Raphael
Rhapsody #108=