Hello All
Does anyone have a asymmetrical sail? I have a 365 sloop and sail solo. If you could let me know the size, cost, sailcloth wt, and sail loft I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
Fair Winds,
Carl
Keep the mast up and the keel down.....
Carl,
When purchasing an asymmetrical spinnaker where you use it (conditions) and what you want to achieve when using it is more important than all of your other questions. That answer will dictate how large, construction, cloth configuration and the cost of the sail. If you sail in San Francisco bay for example you would probably be looking at an A4 or A5 which are cut smaller, built heavier than say an A1 or A2. If your intended sailing waters were Newport Rhode Island in the dead of summer, an A1 or A2 would be perfect due to that areas light winds better suiting those spinnakers bigger size and lighter construction.
The difference between an A1 and an A2 although both designed for lighter air, is that the A1 is a reaching cut designed to sail between 70 and 110 degrees apparent angle off of the wind, and the A2 is designed to sail deeper at 105 to 155 degrees apparent off of the wind. The A2 would be more of a runner. Asymmetrical spinnakers are not designed to sail much lower than 160 degrees off of the wind. To achieve that a traditional symmetrical cut kite would be utilized complete with spinnaker pole. Where asym kites shine is 150 degrees and up to around 90 degrees apparent. They are easier to rig and fly as the clew is attached to the boat much like your head sail however the luff is free to roam.
The intended use and the wind speed anticipated dictates the proper selection of the spinnaker materials and construction. Those items determine the cut (thread orientation) and the type (material) of cloth. Cloth weight today has very little to do with the design unless it is a one design racing sail that has a class rule limit. Today it is all about the fiber material and actual physical weight of the sail. Like many things the lighter and higher performance the cloth, the more it costs.
Your best bet is to talk to a reputable sail maker and honestly determine where you intend to use this spinnaker (intended wind ranges) and what you trying to achieve. If your goal is to continue to sail when the wind speed drops way off, that would be one type of sail. If you are looking to improve your down wind performance above wing on wing that is another sail. If you desire both that would be yet another.
Either way, you indicated you sail alone. If that is the case you should consider a dousing sock or perhaps a top down furler. Both will allow you to set and retrieve your spinnaker shorthanded. Having an autopilot to hold a course while all of this is going on I would think is a necessity as you will have to leave the cockpit to rig, set and retrieve no matter which method you choose.
Having an asymmetrical or traditional spinnaker aboard greatly improves your off the wind performance and provides you with additional choices to a slating main and jib or the rattle of the engine.
If you would like additional information or further help, give us a call at (716) 877-8221 and talk to my son Eric who is our loft manager.
Good sailing
Dale Tanski
Obersheimer Sailing Supply
Buffalo, Ny
Maruska
Hull #40 Ketch
Dale,
Thanks again for the good information. One question about the sail cloth weight: Would a slightly heavier material, i.e. > 0.75 oz be better in that it might not collapse as much? As a solo sailor on Lake Michigan, I don't want to be trimming it continuously.....I know, I'm a sailor right. That's what we do! I'm probably over-thinking this. I'll be calling Eric today or tomorrow for a quote.
Mast up, Keel down,
Carl
Carl,
The lighter the weight of the cloth, the easier it will stay up and flying. Lead balloons don't fly so well. Now don't confuse cloth weight with strength, todays lightweight fibers are much stronger than yesterdays standard fibers.
Dale