[C320-list] Asymmetric Spinnaker or Gennaker

[Tony Murphy]

Fellow C320’ers…

I’m looking to add my first downwind sail to our boat (Bella Sol #886) and have little experience with asymmetric spinnakers or gennakers.  Had a few questions for the group.  Keep in mind that I’m looking to avoid a traditional symmetric spinnaker to avoid having to use a pole.  I’m also looking for a solution that will work when racing and I typically have a crew of 4-6 on board.

1.  I would like to have a system that can be deployed while the 150% Genoa is still out.  This would eliminate the use of an ATN Tacker or Parrel beads.  Have any of you used the anchor roller as an attachment point for the tack line?  If so, did you do any reinforcements to account for the lateral forces that the anchor roller typically doesn’t encounter?  Or is it beefy enough for most large size Asyms?

2.  Has anyone mounted a Seldon bowsprit to their boat?  http://www.seldenmast.com/files/1415956448/595-261-E.pdf

3.  If you have a bowsprit, were you able to use a top-down furler?  Or is this all a pipe-dream?  I haven’t thought this through very far yet, so you won’t offend me by telling me I’m asking dumb questions.

4.  Are you using your downwind spinnaker/gennaker as a replacement to your genoa for downwind running? or do you also find better performance than using the 150 when reaching?

Of course, I realize there isn’t a one-size fits all for close-reaching/reaching/running.  That’s why my initial thoughts are to find a solution to add to my downwind running performance.  I have added a fairly beefy whisker pole that I use to sail wing-on-wing quite nicely, but I guess I’m looking for a bit more speed when racing. 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Tony Murphy
Walker, MN
Bella Sol #886