I have been reading everything I can find online about adding an assym spin to my Mk II. It has a Spinnaker halyard but that's it. Would love to see how anyone in my area might have this rigged up on their boat. I live in San Diego, CA.
Thinking about a sail with a sock. Sheets for both sides, mostly gybing downwind. Looking for a sail that can go all the way to about 150 off the wind. Cruising first, racing later. Thanks!
I have one I use in San Diego. However, I have mine set-up on a Selden GX 10 furler and a Selden retractable bow sprit. Pros and cons. Pros: I can set up at the dock and unfurl and deploy from cockpit sailing single handed. Unlike using with a sock, where you need to go up to the bow. Cons: It is a more expensive and complicated system. Also, with either, make sure your spinnaker crane at the top of the mast extends far enough forward to not have a problem with your genoa furler. Ideally, with my set-up, I would like a longer spinnaker crane, but it does work. Another issue to be mindful of with my set-up, is the retractable bowsprit goes across my anchor locker door, so I have to drop my furled spinnaker to the deck and unclip it from bowsprit and remove /slide the bowsprit aft before anchoring. This makes trip planning a bit trickier, as I can't just sail to my anchorage roll-up/douse the spinnaker and drop the anchor. A rare occurrence, but just need to plan ahead.
QuoteThinking about a sail with a sock. Sheets for both sides, mostly gybing downwind. Looking for a sail that can go all the way to about 150 off the wind.
Spinnaker on Shamrock is an OEM that I bought used. Some other hardware I use to fly the spinnaker that you didn't mention. Extra sheet blocks to go on outside track, a couple of cleats on the mast to cleat spinnaker halyard and sock line also an ATN tacker.
Jim
Definitely get a sock or furler. (Sock is way cheaper). I can't imagine handling a big spinnaker without one. I used a sock on mine and found I could single-hand with it.
Quote from: Jim Hardesty on January 13, 2025, 04:56:54 AMQuoteThinking about a sail with a sock. Sheets for both sides, mostly gybing downwind. Looking for a sail that can go all the way to about 150 off the wind.
Spinnaker on Shamrock is an OEM that I bought used. Some other hardware I use to fly the spinnaker that you didn't mention. Extra sheet blocks to go on outside track, a couple of cleats on the mast to cleat spinnaker halyard and sock line also an ATN tacker.
Jim
What is the downside of not using the tacker? I have read about a cloth one or "beads". Several videos I have seen do not use one at all.
Unlike a traditional spinnaker which is flown with a pole, an asymmetrical spinnaker has to attach the tack (somehow) to the bow of the boat. It also has to "worry" about to catching on the furled-up genoa. An ATN brand tacker is just one way just to secure the tack to the sail. It wraps around the furled genoa like a stiff belt. Instead, you can use a wire pendant to your stem-head/deck fitting. Or attach to a bowsprit. Lots of ways to facilitate the tack connection. Some also utilize an adjustable tack line so you can better trim the sail shape/tack height for different wind conditions and heading by slacking or tightening the tack line..
Quote from: Noah on January 13, 2025, 04:17:15 PMUnlike a traditional spinnaker which is flown with a pole, an asymmetrical spinnaker has to attach the tack (somehow) to the bow of the boat. It also has to "worry" about to catching on the furled-up genoa. An ATN brand tacker is just one way just to secure the tack to the sail. It wraps around the furled genoa like a stiff belt. Instead, you can use a wire pendant to your stem-head/deck fitting. Or attach to a bowsprit. Lots of ways to facilitate the tack connection. Some also utilize an adjustable tack line so you can better trim the sail shape/tack height for different wind conditions and heading by slacking or tightening the tack line..
Yes I am going to run a tack line back to an empty clutch instead of having an ATN tacker or similar device. Just one more thing for me to mess up. Can always add later. I do like how a tracker keeps the tack closer to the centerline.
Guys : My a-spinnaker attaches to the tack around the furled genoa with neckless of 3/4"? beads. This allows the Tack to easily move up(the beads roll) or down as the conditions dictate!!
A thought
Quote from: Ron Hill on January 14, 2025, 02:39:09 PMGuys : My a-spinnaker attaches to the tack around the furled genoa with neckless of 3/4"? beads. This allows the Tack to easily move up(the beads roll) or down as the conditions dictate!!
A thought
Just to be clear, the beads are not attached to a line, correct? I just worry they could hang up on something taller than me.
There is still a downhaul line.
"Parrel beads are solid nylon balls with holes drilled through them, through which a wire cable passes. The cable has stainless-steel thimbles at either end that are then shackled to the tack, making a closed loop of beads around the genoa. The parrel beads roll over the furled genoa, allowing the tack of the cruising spinnaker to be raised and lowered with ease."
Guys : Noah's diagram is what I have. The tack line goes thru a block at the deck and back to the cockpit - so I can control it's height!
A thought
Krafty:
An adjustable tack line is NOT NECESSARY (but does allow the ability to fine tune the sail trim). Attaching the asymmetrical spinnaker with a wire or dynemma pendant and shackle to a fixed strong point at the bow stem does work fine.
I am going to try it without the beads first, then see if I need them. Thanks everyone for the insights!
Next question - do you recommend 1.5 oz for the sail? Sailing in SD Bay mostly, 5-15 kts of wind.
Quote from: Noah on January 19, 2025, 06:22:27 PMKrafty:
An adjustable tack line is NOT NECESSARY (but does allow the ability to fine tune the sail trim). Attaching the asymmetrical spinnaker with a wire or dynemma pendant and shackle to a fixed strong point at the bow stem does work fine.
Thanks. I want to try an adjustable tack as I want to go more off wind and I like the adjustability. Plus it looks fun!
QuoteNext question - do you recommend 1.5 oz for the sail? Sailing in SD Bay mostly, 5-15 kts of wind.
My previous boat came with a 3/4 oz asymmetrical, it was great but fragile. Was easy to tear. Liked the way it packed up small. Shamrock has a 1.5 oz, it's a little more robust, the difference in how they perform is small to me as a cruiser.
I think it is important to get the smallest diameter sheets you can comfortably handle. If you decide to furl/sock to gybe don't need much more than the boat length. If you decide to gybe the sail around the headsail need two boat length plus. That's a lot of line and a lot that can go under the boat and a lot that could go wrong.
Jim
I have estimates from three internet companies and two local. Wondering if anyone has experience/opinions on the following companies. This is for a running (A2) Asym.
UK
Quantum (local)
Far East
Direct Sails
Precision (internet)
Internet prices are lower by about 1K for the sail.
You may also consider Catalina Direct
https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-34/sails/catalina-34-spinnakers/
Jim
Precision has made a name for themselves in the you tube sailing community by "partnering" with the sailors. There are a number of videos of folks going through the process most noteably SV Delos.
Thanks everyone for all the inputs! I ended up with six different quotes from different companies. Went to my local Ullman loft and they matched the price on CD, which includes a sail bag, which CD did not. The shop is highly recommended by several friends. Added a sock so I am set! Six long weeks though. I am not patient.
You should be happy with the San Diego Ullman Sails loft. They built my 135 Genoa and my asymmetrical A2, and have always provided great customer service over the years.
Quote from: Noah on January 24, 2025, 05:35:45 PMYou should be happy with the San Diego Ullman Sails loft. They built my 135 Genoa and my asymmetrical A2, and have always provided great customer service over the years.
Thanks Noah. Do you have any pix of your A2 rig? I am at Point Loma NS.
Here you go. My Ullman A2. However, my loose footed, full batten, mainsail is by North Sails. They also provided great customer service and the sales rep was from my yacht club so...
Beautiful! Are you at SDYC?
Krafty,
A good use of the time waiting would be to make sure all sharps and snags are well taped. Anything on the mast or spreaders. Especially important is at the spinnaker crane, when using the sock retracted it's piled up at the top and can snag on things.
Jim
Krafty:
Yes, I am at SDYC.
Thanks for the tip on snags - I will check. The boat has a couple L shaped brackets to starboard (outboard) to hold a sailboard or kayak. They are closed against the lifelines but do catch my Gib lines from time to time.
Noah I have some friends at SDYC, I will look for your boat. Wondering how you rigged the tack line.
Krafty: I do NOT have an adjustable tack line. My tack is attached via a dynemma pendant directly to my Selden GX10 furler. Selden does offer an adjustable tack option (an add-on) but I opted not to purchase/install. The sail works fine with a fixed tack—-for my non-racing, single-handed sailing style—-with one less line to "worry about."
Quote from: Noah on January 25, 2025, 06:03:16 PMKrafty: I do NOT have an adjustable tack line. My tack is attached via a dynemma pendant directly to my Selden GX10 furler. Selden does offer an adjustable tack option (an add-on) but I opted not to purchase/install. The sail works fine with a fixed tack—-for my non-racing, single-handed sailing style—-with one less line to "worry about."
I am going with a tack line because I have an open clutch and want to play with it. I may end up rigging it like yours if my wife complains!
I went with furler to limit my time on the bow, a big consideration when single handing at my age. I can set it up at the dock, go out sailing and take it down when I return to the dock. It doesn't have a UV cover so I wouldn't keep it up and furled for many days without using it. I sold my ATN sock to a fellow C34.org member through our website. Used gear/parts section.
Ullman Sails will take awhile - ordered two weeks ago, still six weeks out.
Got my new Ullman assym. Will post pix after test sail Saturday if I can figure out how to do that!
Looking forward to seeing it!!
Added to previous post. Shows new tackline and Harken rollers for sheets back aft.
Great day! All those you tube videos helped out. Sail works great from about 70 to 140 relative wind. Gybing took a little practice. Sock worked great.