Asymetrical Spinaker Photo, Mizzen Trim Tips

[PeteW]

Someone  (Dale) said lets just go sailing. Here's  a very recent shot of my 365 Ketch flying an Asymmetrical Spinnaker. This one was borrowed and was about 1 foot and a half too big. After a comedy of errors we got it up. Wrong block on the sheet, might have looked better if we used the aft turning block.



I have to say that that full batten main (Hyde Sails) is a thing of beauty. With full batten main and mizzen she's a rocket ship. 7.5 Knt SOG in 10 knots of wind close hauled. (110% head sail)

My question is about mizzen trim up wind. Based on the tell-tales it would appear that I need a mizzen traveler to achieve proper trim on the mizzen close hauled. I've been told all sorts of stuff like, you need to line up the leech's between main and mizzen all the way to, the mizzen offers no improvement up wind. it only helps on a reach.  I'm not buying that one.  Any words of wisdom regarding mizzen trim?

Pete   

[Della and Dave]

Nice!!

[Dale Tanski]

Pete,

Just found this post.  Nice looking kite! A foot or two off on the hoist length is no big deal.  Main does look nice also.

Mizzen sails are cut flatter than mainsails, and the reason is the airflow off of the main.  The mizzen sees a closer apparent wind angle due to the wash off of the main.  Full battens in a mizzen are common to achieve a flatter shape.  You maybe correct, the mizzen boom may have to be brought over centerline to properly trim the upper two thirds.  This over center condition is not uncommon even in mainsails especially when driving a boat uphill in chop.  The key here is to bring the boom over center and ease the sheet twisting off the top of the main. This allows the upper 2/3rds to power up and not stall the airflow while pumping through short steep waves. 

On every point of sail the mizzen is useful but especially off of the wind and on a reach. Hard upwind the mizzen helps with balance. 

Dale