Asymmetrical Spinnaker

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
User avatar
aviro
Chief Steward
Posts: 69
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:50 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Quebec canada

Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by aviro »

hi
I'm thinking to buy an Asymmetrical Spinnaker and sock used one for a :macm: .
don't have a lot of $ for that :(
do you thing it worth the expense
did somebody know where I can find one not to expensive :?:
thanks
Jean-Francois
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Tomfoolery »

There's one listed in the classifieds here. And yes, I think they're worth it, though a whisker pole for the genoa is probably easier, as it just uses the genoa which is already there (assuming you fly the genoa). I haven't tried wing-on-wing on a Mac, but that's what I used for downwind (not DDW, though) sailing on my Hunter, as I didn't want to invest the money for an asymmetrical spinnaker (big boat = big big sail = big big big dollars), even though the mast had the hardware already installed for one.

Thinking about it, I just may try a cobbled whisker pole this year, just to see what it can do with that big genoa. The working jib is probably too small to be much use in that scenario.

Some video from a couple of summers ago, at the MMOR IV. Note the speed on my GPS. There was a recent thread about spinnakers here, also. Got BOAT all wound up about adding one to his arsenal, if memory serves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHz-o9dXKIE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2il9rwyETmg
Last edited by Tomfoolery on Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
aviro
Chief Steward
Posts: 69
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:50 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Quebec canada

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by aviro »

ok
thanks
I will continue to search one

Jean-Francois
User avatar
mastreb
Admiral
Posts: 3927
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA ETEC-60 "Luna Sea"
Contact:

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by mastreb »

I will say that I think the downwind performance of a Mac with the stock 150 roller genny and mainsail is pretty damned good, especially if you pull up all boards and leave 0 or 1 rudder down only. It's downwind performance is equal to or better than its performance on any other point of sail.

MUCH better downwind than a keelboat, which must have a spin to be efficient downwind. On a Mac I think a spinnaker is pretty much cosmetic, or needed only if you fly a hank-on 110% as your headsail.
User avatar
kadet
Admiral
Posts: 1030
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:51 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Brisbane, Australia. 2008M "Wicked Wave" Yamaha T60

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by kadet »

mastreb wrote:I will say that I think the downwind performance of a Mac with the stock 150 roller genny and mainsail is pretty damned good, especially if you pull up all boards and leave 0 or 1 rudder down only. It's downwind performance is equal to or better than its performance on any other point of sail.

MUCH better downwind than a keelboat, which must have a spin to be efficient downwind. On a Mac I think a spinnaker is pretty much cosmetic, or needed only if you fly a hank-on 110% as your headsail.
+1

I only have the spin because I went from a 150 to 110 jib to save sail changes on the roller furler. The performance difference is minimal and then only in light winds between the 150 and the spin.
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Tomfoolery »

kadet wrote:I only have the spin because I went from a 150 to 110 jib to save sail changes on the roller furler. The performance difference is minimal and then only in light winds between the 150 and the spin.
That's why I use the spinnaker. I don't use the 150. Blocks too much of my view, the boat handles better with the smaller head sail, and it's like new because the PO never used it. :D

But I'd still like to try poling out the 110, and maybe the 150, just for fun. Takes a big pole for that 150, though. I could probably get away with a twist-lock for the 110.
User avatar
Be Free
Admiral
Posts: 1890
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Steinhatchee, FL

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Be Free »

I use a hank on 110 with a whisker pole. The pole makes a noticeable difference and makes it much easier to run wing and wing.
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Tomfoolery »

What kind of whisker pole is it?

The only one I've owned was a line-control Forspar on a larger boat I no longer own. Wish I had kept it, but it was too big for the 110. Probably about right for the 150. Got it used for cheap, but new ones of that size and style are closing in on $1k.
User avatar
Chinook
Admiral
Posts: 1730
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:20 pm
Location: LeavenworthWA 2002 26x, Suzuki DF60A

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Chinook »

I routinely sail downwind with 150 genny poled out with a whisker pole. I also always set a preventer line on the main when sailing wing on wing. The lines are 50 foot dock lines, pre rigged and ready for use. I considered getting a spinnaker, but decided against it. The two issues for me were difficulty installing a bowsprit, given the congestion on my bow with anchor roller and other stuff. Also, stowage of the spinnaker while on extended cruises appeared to be an unsolvable problem, given the amount of stuff we already have on board.
User avatar
mastreb
Admiral
Posts: 3927
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA ETEC-60 "Luna Sea"
Contact:

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by mastreb »

I use my boat-hook as a whisker-pole. I put the pole tip through the clew of the 150, and then tie the handle to the base of the mast with a short length of 1/4". Works just great, but my boat hook is 15' long when fully extended. It's an old WestMarine model that I haven't seen lately.
vizwhiz
Admiral
Posts: 1388
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:48 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26S
Location: Central Florida

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by vizwhiz »

Would something like this work? We don't have really large or heavy sails...

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Wooster-8-Feet--1 ... le/1054249
User avatar
Mac26Mpaul
Admiral
Posts: 1066
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:36 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Gold Coast, Australia 26M "Little Annie" Etec 50

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Mac26Mpaul »

My boat came with the 110 jib and I have kept it that way assuming she would point quite a bit better than with the genny. I sometimes pole it out with my extendable boathook which you can see at one point in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quslHKhZc-k


I too am thinking of a kite, actually, if it isn't too expensive to have made, I wouldn't mind getting one like this:
http://i.imgur.com/Uwv70Jz.jpg
User avatar
Hamin' X
Site Admin
Posts: 3464
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Hermiston, OR-----------2001 26X DF-50 Suz---------------(Now Sold)
Contact:

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Hamin' X »

vizwhiz wrote:Would something like this work? We don't have really large or heavy sails...

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Wooster-8-Feet--1 ... le/1054249
I have used a similar paint roller extension pole.

Image
I now use a Davis 3 section telescoping boat hook. I like the double purpose use and it stores just inside the companionway where my old boat hook stored. I couldn't find a pic of the 3 section pole, but this will give you an idea. The red cap is removable and reveals a standard paint roller thread where I screw on my paint roller frame that I modified into a clew spike. I drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the handle and use a small length of 1/8 in cord to tie the handle end to the mast at the gooseneck.

Image

Image

~Rich
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4931
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by dlandersson »

What can I buy ready-made? 8)
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Post by Tomfoolery »

dlandersson wrote:What can I buy ready-made? 8)
12 ft telescopic whisker pole from Forespar. Long enough for the 110, but too short for the genoa. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/forespar- ... -l--111179 Spike or latch versions. But you need to mount a ring on the mast.
Post Reply