hi
we have a new Inter 20 and we are getting into the spinnaker business. can any one send some tips about crew and helmsman work: rounding the weather mark & hoisting, snuffing before leeward mark rounding, gybing, etc...

thanks

Snuffer or tramp bag segev?

If you are looking for an introduction to spinnaker sailing on cats in general, rather than the I20 in particular, there is some good information on the Catamaran Sailing DVD available here - http://tillard.georges1.free.fr/

snuffer, mid pole

Do you know where i can get a copy of that dvd?

Hello, I find that the holding force on the spinakersheet is very high. my sheet runs from the spinaker through the ratched block on the sidestay and then trough a small block on the front beam to my crewmember. He is complaning over the amount of pulling force on the sheet. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to lower this force?

Yes, put a second ratchet block where the small block is.

I beleive that you can "double" the block on the sail to releive this issue.

My sheets is attached fix at the spinaker and from there the sheet runs trough the ratchedblock and then trough the small block at the front beam. Someone else suggested a second ratchedblock on the beam and that sounds to me as a simple but maybe sufficient solution.
Otherwise I have to try your solution. Thanks for the advise!

Two ratchet blocks make it a bit easier, but is your crew having difficulties in trimming the spinnaker, or holding it once it is trimmed?

As you know, spinnaker work is pretty constant (easing and trimming) and has to be coordinated with course changes by the helm.

I have found that in certain cases where we are pointing too high in order to fly the hull downwind, it is very difficult to trim the spinnaker (most likely because it's already as flat as it can be). If you are aware of your sailing angle when the crew is complaining, it may indeed be pretty high.

Either that, or your crew is like me and complains too much!

Sometimes no matter what you do, your crew will complain!

I found the Agard videos on YouTube very helpful. There are about 4 of them. Here's one. Just query YouTube for the others.
Agard 2

How old is your spinnaker? More than a season I bet - its blown out, get a new one.

I believe that is in my job description!

Glad to see your showing at Steeple. Any recap of what you did right/wrong? Did you do the "slog of shame" at Anne's Beach? Pick up any nice lobster pots on day 2?

How'd your crew fare? Is he up for 5 days of that stuff?

It is winter now in the Netherlands, but in april we start again. I can hardly wait, and try out the extra ratchet block for the genaker.

Haha if money was no issue I would get a new one right aaway, but as most of us, I sail with a budget. Don't you have this problem? No, without kidding, the spinaker is fine, not blown out, but 25 sqm. is a lot on a single line!
A second ratchetblock is worth trying, I have a spare one lying around.

So how old is it?
I spent 2 seasons with an early nylon kite on my 20 and kept telling myself that it was fine. got a new kite and no-one could touch us!

Dammit, I really did not need to read that... I just plunked down $4k on a a jib and main... What does a good spi go for?

I run it from a block at the fore beam and then to a second beam at the shroud. The first block runs free and the second is a ratchomatick.

Eric,

I pd $950 for a new spin for the HT from Jay and Pease Glaser at the beginning of last season. Am very pleased with it.

Dave