Sailing with an Assymetric Spinnaker

[phblaney]

I have a new J80 and have never sailed an Assymetric before.

We went really well last weekend, but sailed about 10 miles more than anyone else downwind.

I know its a black art and needs practice and good communications between sheet and helm, but are there any guidelines for the downwind tacking angles that might help us understand what we should be doing?

How tight is the tack line, is there any slack? The pictures on the web show about 2 feet or so, is that the norm? Do you pull up the halyard 100%.

I understand you luff up to get the spinnaker filling and then, as speed increases you drop lower.

Any help appreciated!

[Becci Eplett]

Come on!

I've already shared my HUGE knowledge with Pat by private email. It didn't take very long....

Let's offer Pat some advice and guidance from those of you who own the boats!

Becci

[bornslippyjules]

Well we are more or less renowned for being slow downwind so, perhaps my advice isn't going to be that great
But here are some starting thoughts for the more wise and succesful to comment upon:

- halyard fully up, yes

- tack line can be eased about 12-18" when running deep when there is enough wind, won't work well when it is light.

- wind angle is generally deep-ish (around 45 off dead downwind) while you are not in planing conditions. When planing is possible then generally it will be whatever is required to keep you on the plane.

Goosewinging with main and jib alone going nearly dead downwind works reasonably well if for some reason you don't have a working kite (twice this season and counting)

[Rob Fox]

Hi Pat
I'm afraid it's practice and more pratice to find the best angles, which do vary tremendously depending on wind strength.
Like Julian suggests, start by sailing 45 degrees from dead downwind, and then see how low you can go whilst easing the kite until it collapses.
I would suggest keeping the tack line on for the moment as it makes trimming a touch more difficult, but you get get another few degrees lower with the tack line eased if there is decent pressure.
Helm has to do what the trimmer tells them, as they can feel the pressure in the sheet, and once it starts to go light then you know you've gone too far.
Let us know how you get on.