[C320-list] Asymmetric Spinnaker or Gennaker

[Denny Browne]

No reason at all not to fall off at the weather mark, hoist the a-sail, furl the headsail and then attach the ATN Tacker. Typically, the weather Mark is a port rounding, so if you run the spinnaker halyard to the starboard cabin top winch, you can run the port side spinnaker sheet to the port cabin top winch and leave the primary winch for the Genoa sheet until you furl it.   Keep in mind, though, that the stock extra halyard is a wing halyard, not a fully articulated spinnaker halyard running through a swivel block at the masthead. The latter is better because it can be difficult to get the former down unless you're sailing pretty deep, as the higher you sail when dousing, the worse it chafes as it exits the masthead. 

The C320 performs best with a pole and symmetrical spinnaker, though, except in rare occasions close reaching in light air. My a-sail is 15% smaller than the symmetrical sail, both built for the boat by the same sailmaker. You should talk to a couple of local sailmakers for advice on how and where you want to sail. 

They're all fun. The a-sail from the anchor roller bail is simplest and has worked fine for us. I never felt the need, and didn't have the money for a furler, but did use the ATN Sock for a while. Now we just launch from a bag like a conventional spinnaker. Just be sure the over eager trimmer resists pulling on the sheet until the halyard is all the way up. 

Good luck, it never ends!

Denny Browne
A Cappella #935
Redondo Beach

Sent from iPhone, sorry for typos, grammar, etc...

> On May 19, 2015, at 2:16 AM, <rclausen1 at bigpond.com> <rclausen1 at bigpond.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Tony
> 
> We race with an Asym. and a Code zero which we attach the tack  to a block on the anchor roller that leads back to the cockpit. We always launch either sail with the headsail unfurled.
> The Asy is launch in the sock with both spinnaker sheets attached to the clew, for an outside gybe. We have also poled out the Asy with great success.
> 
> Happy sailing
> 
> Teddy Clausen
> Cool Change 294
> Port Macquarie
> Australia
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Tony Murphy
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 9:44 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Asymmetric Spinnaker or Gennaker
> 
> Pat,
> 
> Thanks for the sage advice.  I’m not totally new to spinnaker sailing, but have never done so on a 320.  I’ve crewed on a Hunter 28 with an Asym using an ATN Tacker, but we always had to roll up the genoa first before deploying the Asym.  Maybe that’s not necessary, but that’s the way I was shown and taught.  I was hoping to deploy the sail while the genoa was still out to avoid scrubbing speed (and maybe help with the deployment of the chute).
> 
> Lately, I’ve sailed on a friends Catalina 275, but it has a top-down furler. Hands-down, that would be my first option if I could pull it off, almost regardless of price.  But I wasn’t even sure if this was an option… basically since there’s no place to attach the furler that I know of.  This was one of the reasons I asked about the Selden bowsprit.
> 
> Like I said in my first email… I’m definitely sketchy on my thought process and even though I have a few experiences on other people’s boats, I’m mostly a newbie to spinnaker sailing.
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Tony
> Bella Sol #886
> 
> 
>> On May 18, 2015, at 6:30 PM, pat reynolds <lorasalum at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Tony,  It sounds like you are new to spinnaker sailing but have a crew for racing.  If so I would keep it simple for now and forget about selden bowsprits and top down furlers unless you have money you can't wait to spend.  A Selden bowsprite does allow for deeper sailing angles but that comes later.  An asymmetrical is basically for reaching angles.  I never tried going wing on wing with one.
>> 
>> For a asymmetrical you can attach a block to the bow anchor roller.  Run the tack line thru that and back to a stopper or cabin top winch. The closer to the wind you get the farther down you pull the tack line. Attach a block to each rear cleat to run your spin sheet thru.  You can use one long sheet attached to the sail in the middle and run down both sides to your rear blocks.  Or use two sheets if you like. If you have a spinnaker halyard block at the top of your mast you can tack your spin in front of the head stay otherwise you use the other genoa halyard turning block and tack it between the head stay and mast.
>> If you are lowering it behind the head sail release your tack shackle and pull it down behind the sail.  I didn't quite get the part about not using an ATM tacker because you are keeping your 150 up.  You don't keep it up after the asym is deployed but you can then attach a tacker to the rolled up headsail.  These are useful in keeping the asym closer to the headstay or center of the bow.
>> 
>> I haven't used my asym in quite a while but the above is hopefully still correct. They are very nice to have when single handing also.
>> 
>> 
>>    On Monday, May 18, 2015 2:07 PM, Tony Murphy <tony at midwestphysics.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> 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
>