[C320-list] Cruising Code Zero (Drifter) Questions

[denny.browne at me.com]

Great idea. I have two asymmetrical spinnakers and two conventional
spinnakers that I use for racing and there's considerable variability. A
Code Zero is a very flat sail designed to be flown on a tightly stretched
luff cord, usually made of vectran or some other high tech very strong very
low stretch single braid. Most cruising spinnakers, or gennakers, are fuller
and larger cut than that. They're more versatile than a Code Zero, but won't
fly quite as close to the wind. The secret to sailing high is the high tech
luff cord, but don't forget that you need a high tech halyard otherwise the
halyard stretches. The racing owners who have bought a Code Zero want to use
it whenever possible, the crew usually want a headsail, and the crew are
USUALLY right. 

See my thoughts on your questions below IN CAPS FOR EASY VISIBILITY (not
shouting).

Denny Browne
Denny.Browne at Me.com
310-408-9591

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Richard Smith
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2017 1:15 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Cruising Code Zero (Drifter) Questions

Hi All -

I'm thinking about adding a cruising code zero to my 320 to help out on
those low wind days that we get all too much of on Lake Ontario.  Although
my wife and I have sailed our 320 for many years, we've never used any sails
other than our 135 genoa and in-mast main so I'm afraid that I'm a bit of a
noob when it comes to sails like this and I have a bunch of questions.


1.      Do they really work to move the boat in 3-8 knots of wind? YES, ONCE
YOU'VE TRIED IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT. AT 50 DEGREES OFF THE WIND, THEY'RE MUCH
MORE REWARDING THAN YOU'LL FIND YOUR 135 TO BE IN LIGHT AIR. AT 8 KNOTS,
YOU'LL PROBABLY WANT TO GO BACK TO THE 135 THOUGH.

2.      Can you really sail on a close reach in light wind with one of these
sails? YES. CLOSE REACH, NOT CLOSE HAULED. AS THE WIND BUILDS, YOU'LL WANT
TO FALL OFF A LITTLE AS THE LOADS ON THE SAIL AND SHEETS GROW QUICKLY.

3.      What should the luff, foot and leech dimensions be for a
'drifter'/code zero for our 320's?  (I have a chance to buy a drifter for a
Catalina 34 which the fellow tells me will work but I'm not sure if it will
or not) I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO START WITH THAT SAIL, IF HE'LL SELL IT FOR
A GOOD PRICE. EXPERIMENT WITH IT, THAT'S THE FUN PART. MY SMALL GENNAKER IS
43'4" ON THE LUFF, THE LARGE ONE IS 44'8" (I THINK). THERE ARE SOME STANDARD
SIZES AVAILABLE FROM CATALINA DIRECT, NORTH SAILS DIRECT AND A COUPLE OF
OTHERS. TALKING TO A SAILMAKER WHERE YOU SAIL IS A VERY GOOD IDEA. 

4.      Should we opt for the fancy continuous furling?  If so, how will
that affect the dimensions of the sail? I DON'T HAVE THAT, AND DON'T REALLY
WANT IT, BUT I'VE SAILED DOUBLE HANDED WITH A FRIEND ON A MUCH LARGER BOAT
AND IT WAS VERY HANDY. YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY LOOK INTO IT.

5.      Where would I lead the sheets?  Straight to the winch?  Further
back?  Maybe a block on the aft cleats? SPINNAKER/GENNAKER SHEETS ARE
USUALLY LEAD TO A TURNING BLOCK AFT OF THE WINCHES. CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IS
TO ATTACH THEM TO A TOW RAIL. INITIALLY, ESPECIALLY FOR LIGHT AIR SAILING,
YOU CAN SIMPLY RUN THE SHEETS FROM THE CLEW OUTSIDE THE LIFELINES AND
THROUGH THE DECK CLEAT THEN FORWARD TO THE WINCH. THE FRICTION ON THE CLEAT
DOESN'T REALLY REQUIRE A TURNING BLOCK.

6.      I notice that most people fly these from bow sprits which we don't
have but I suspect that our stock bow roller will suffice.  Thoughts?
Advice? I HAVE A TURNING BLOCK ATTACHED TO THE BAIL ON MY BOW ROLLER AND IT
WORKS FINE. YOU RUN A TACK LINE, OR PENANT, THROUGH THAT BLOCK FROM THE TACK
OF THE SAIL TO SOMEWHERE YOU CAN CLEAT THE TACK LINE. IF YOU WANT TO ADJUST
THE TACK LINE (HIGHER ANGLE, TIGHTER TACK LINE), KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS BY
FAR THE MOST HEAVILY LOADED LINE ON THE SAIL. IT NEEDS TO RUN TO A WINCH.
YOU CAN ALSO JUST USE A PENANT THAT ATTACHES TO THE BAIL.

7.      I was wondering about attaching the sail BEHIND the genoa as well.
This would allow us to tack and gybe without furling on light days (although
we couldn't use the genoa)  Does this sound feasible? NOT REALLY. THE SAIL
SHOULD BE HOISTED ON A SPINNAKER HALYARD THAT EXITS THE MAST ABOVE THE
HEADSTAY. YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF GYBING THE CLEW INSIDE THE HEADSTAY OR
OUTSIDE ITS LUFF (OUTSIDE IS BETTER, IN MY OPINION), BUT GYBING IT INSIDE
THE HEADSTAY WILL WRECK YOUR HALYARD FROM CHAFE ON THE MASTHEAD.

8.      Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways? ONE OF LIFE'S
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS, ISN'T IT?

9.      Do you have any other advice? JUST DO IT, YOU'LL NEVER STOP
EXPERIMENTING, AND THAT'S REALLY THE FUN OF IT. AND WEAR GLOVES. THE SHEETS
GET PRETTY LOADED.

Thanks folks!  Any insights would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
Rich.