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We purchased our '93 Mac 26S (our first boat) this spring and are considering getting a Spinnaker. Our current sail inventory includes main, jib, 150 genoa, & storm sails which we have yet to try. My wife and I are into day sailing and occasional weekend cruising on the Great Lakes with occasional trips up to the North Channel. My understanding of Spinnakers is that they improve downwind performance. My wife doesn't care so much about that as she does how cool they look with all the colors .

Soooo... what are your general thoughts on spinnakers? Are they fun? Easy or hard to rig and fly? Do those of you that have them use them often or are they a pain? Do you need extra winches? Are they a good "bang for the buck" for sailing enjoyment? I think we would want a cruising spinnaker rather than a racing one.

Thanks, Steve

Asyms are exceedingly easy to fly slightly off wind and a pain in the buttocks ddw.

We have one and love it. If I was anywhere near lake michigan I would plan my voyages around long spinnakker runs!!

Since I don't race, I've always considered the asymm spin to be a good alternative light air genoa when the air is too light for the furling genoa to fill. Downwind, fly it if you have crew. Broad or beam reaches when you do or don't. A sock makes it easy in any case. I use the Chutescoop and like it.

I just ordered a custom asym cruising spinnaker 350+ SQ FT for my mac19 cutter rig it will fly off my 4ft bowsprit much like the new racing spinnaker that flies off a 6ft bowsprit for the 26m "that is not yet available". I plan on trying to fly all three head sails & main weather permitting but that will be next year now . I bought it last week when I was in Sidney. Vancouver Island BC . So every time I fly it out on the Great Lakes. It'll remind me of my good times had out on the Isl. So here's looking foward to next years excitement

John .

Please give details enuf that I can copy it on my 26X.
Am hoping bowsprit would reduce/eliminate the blanketing of the asym by the main and so enable flying both at once over the relatively wide range of wind angles in which the asym can fly alone . Am now flying asym with its tack on a pennant fixed to the bow, but the main interferes with the set of the asym except in a very narrow range of wind angles, so I usually just furl the main before flying the asym, thereby losing 30% of the potentially available sail area.
Looking forward to your bowsprit details.
Thanks....Ron

one's in my plans, thought. Asym

Hi Ron
look under Mods Title "maccutter 19 rig pics" Aug /8/06 I still have some pics there . I dont have a center anchor locker like the x & m models I did install 2 rode anchor hatches on either side of my bowsprit . the black pearl has a retractable 6ft bowsprit that pivots to either starboard or port which is a nice feature any way hope you like the pics . you'll notice that my bowsprit has an attached catwalk & seat & extended walk through bow rail

John

Anyone know if the factory 'racing' chute is available?

Anyone using something other than the factory crusing chute?

I have the stock 350 sq ft. assym spin and have enjoyed it the few times I had the chance to fly it. Now that the light-air season is upon San Francisco, I hope to get more use out of it. It is a pain without the sock, but since I got the chute-scoop per Scott's advice, It has been much easier.

I have had one for years but have yet to install the extra halyard to fly it.
Hopefully this winter.