[C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets

[Martin Raphael]

I have a couple of additional questions:  Do you use two sheets or just one 
to save weight?  How do you run your tack line back to the cockpit...do you 
run it along the rail, much like the furler line, or did you rig some leads 
over the top of the cabin?
Thanks
Martin Raphael
Rhapsody #108
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Denny Browne" <dennybrowne at verizon.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2008 6:26 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Asymmetrical spinnaker sheets


> 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=
>
>