Taking the plunge on a new sail

[krafty81]

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!

[Noah]

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.

[Jim Hardesty]

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.

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

[Ted Pounds]

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. 

[krafty81]

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.

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.

[Noah]

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..

[krafty81]

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..

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.

[Ron Hill]

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 

[krafty81]

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 

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.

[Noah]

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."