I am looking to have a spinnaker recut, this sail is just for fun so it doesn't have to be a perfect job but I want it done right so I can learn properly using it.

If anyone has a suggestion it would be great. I am located in OKlahoma City, Oklahoma so the closer the better.

What needs to be recut?

Pease Glaser at glaser Sails for one, but any competent sail maker could alter it for you if you know what you need to have done.

I am rigging my Nacra 5.2 with a spinnaker and I managed to get a slightly used Hobie Tiger Spinnaker for a really great deal.

After I bought it I realized that the hoist height would put it about 1 foot from the top of my mast...that seems dangerous so I want to have it cut down so that it fits the boat a little better.

Anyone have advice?

Yes, definitely too tall. The F18 runs that hoist up pretty high on their mast as it is. As the sails are tri-radial, I'm not sure how you would lop off some of it without taking away from the structural integrity....I'm sure someone knows though.

Kerr Sails in Tulsa does very good work and most cat sailors in the area know of them.

I knew there was a place in Tulsa, I will have to look them up.

You don't happen to know a number or email for them do you?

you could make the pole longer.

It will be interesting to hear what the sailmakers say, and how they plan to do it, if they'll do it. I see all kind of problems with the shape of the sail if you want to shorten it. Best option I can think of is actually hacking off the foot, but how the sail will fit the rig afterwards is an open question.

Darn, that is kinda depressing to hear, I had been told that it would be a pretty easy fix and to go ahead and buy the spinnaker because I got such a great deal. Now I am getting worried it might turn into a big mess.

Talk with the pros and get their opinion! Why not call the original sailmaker and talk with them about the modification. If they are negiative, try someone else.

Gree, talk to Dan Delave. He can direct you to a loft and should be able to give you many ideas. He was helpful to me in my adaptation of the 18F. Also Trey Brown, good knowledge of many boat designs.

I will be seeing Pease Glaser tomorrow, Jay is in China. I will try to remember to ask her what she would suggest. If you call me about 9:30am my time (562) 234-9238 it will help me remember. I am picking up a new sail from them and will be pretty excited so I will need the reminder.

I am sure that for your application taking off the foot on the bottom will not be a big deal...but,if you already have everything set up on your boat, and your mast is all metal, why not try it with the full sail? The action that will counteract the spinnaker is the main sail being sheeted as a backstay. I think it would be the same either way, cut or not. Why are you concerned about the size of the chute? You are already overpowering the boat by about two. Just have fun with it. You are the "crash test dummy" by choice and we are all waiting for the reports. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Later,
Dan

I would definitely be concerned about breaking the mast with it hoisted all the way to the top. Remember Dan, this isn't a Tiger! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think i have the problem just about worked out. I have found someone that is willing to pay the same thing I did of the sail and I will buy the spinnaker I was looking at prior to buying this one. I just couldn't resist the deal on the Tiger spin.

Even with the smaller spinnaker this boat will be over powered. But I do not want to break my mast.

What are you buying? A custom spi made for your boat?
I think you did the right thing with the Tiger spi.

Well in all honesty I would love to have a spinnaker for the Inter17 but I haven't found any great deals on one of those. Although there is one on the classifieds on here.

The spinnaker I am buying is a Hobie 18FA spinnaker. The hoist height is only one inch from what I orginally wanted and the spinnaker is in good shape. It will give me something to learn with until I can afford a boat made for spinnakers.

A one inch difference in hoist height sounds good. On the lake you mostly sail you should be able to get away with a pole lowered one inch.
I dont know the H-18FA spi. Is it an old design or a modern, flat, design?

Are you still going to build an F-16?

It is a modern flat design, it is actually coming from Isreal.

And yes, it is definently still in my plans to build and F16. Just I am trying to do a little more research before I just jump into building it. I will be starting pharmacy school in the next year and that will be a very hectic time for me to say the least so I will just have to see.

The new spi sounds good, I bet you will have loads of fun with it.

I would not have started building a boat if you are going to a new school, starting a new education. You will have way too much fun at school (more like after school) for starting a project like that. If your school have a sailing team, join them and have fun racing mono dinghys for some years. Then when you finish school and get a job, you can come back to cats and eventual projects.
PS: If you find yourself starting a family, buy the boat you dream about before you move together! Especially if you have to go to a bank to pay for it!