Cruising Asymmetric Spinnakers
Design parameters.
An Asymmetrical Spinnaker that does not require a pole. Designed to be tacked down to the bow stem or to the forestay using a strop. The Cruising Asymmetrical is optimized for broad reaching with angles between 75 and 125 degrees. Built with reinforcements to enable the sail to withstand shock loading expected in offshore use.
Materials:
Built out of .75 oz or 1.5 oz nylon.
Cruising Symmetric Spinnakers
Design parameters.
A Symmetrical Spinnaker that requires a pole. Designed for stability and ease of trim. The Cruising Symmetrical is optimized for running with angles of 105 to 160 degrees. Build as light as possible to allow the sails to fly easily.
Materials:
Built out of .75 oz or 1.5 oz nylon.
Top Down Furling Systems
Top Down Furling Systems or Spinnaker Socks
Cruising Spinnakers often require a system to aid in hoisting or dousing especially when sailing short handed or without crew.
The spinnaker sleeve makes it possible to douse while short handed while keeping the sail under control while at the same time the spinnaker is read to deploy with no further set up. Used on a rig where there is no clearance between the halyard and the forestay/roller furler at the top of the mast and no sprit or separation at the deck level.
Top down furling systems have been developed to enable to deployment of an Asymmetrical Cruising Spin much in the same way as furling headsails or a Code Zero. The top furler requires sepparation of the halyard and forestay at the top and at deck level so that furling is not impeded by the forestay or roller furling genoa.