TEACHING STUDENTS TO SAIL


SPINNAKER SKILLS When sailing off the wind, from a beam reach to a run, sailors will often use a sail


called a spinnaker. A spinnaker increases the amount of sail area on the sailboat. With the increase in sail area, the balloon-shaped spinnaker enhances reaching and downwind boat speed. There are two types of spinnakers: symmetrical and asymmetrical.


Symmetrical Spinnakers A symmetrical spinnaker is most efficient when sailed on broad reaches and runs. A symmetrical spinnaker is shaped like an equilateral triangle. Symmetrical spinnakers “fly” in front of the sailboat, rotating from one side of the sailboat to the other in a jibe.


The symmetrical spinnaker is raised and lowered by a halyard at the head, or top corner, of the sail. Sheets are attached to the clews for trimming the spinnaker - one sheet to the windward clew and one sheet to the leeward clew. A spinnaker pole is used to control the windward clew of the sail and to help project the sail away from the boat. The spinnaker pole’s inboard end is secured to a ring on the mast. The spinnaker pole’s outboard end is secured to the windward sheet, commonly referred to as the guy, as close as possible to the windward clew of the spinnaker. The spinnaker pole is held up by the topping lift, usually a clip or a hook, attached to the middle of the pole.


The spinnaker pole’s topping lift and downhaul are control lines attached to the middle of the spinnaker pole, and are used to stablize and adjust the height of the pole.A good starting point for the topping lift is to raise the spinnaker pole so it is perpendicular to the luff of the ib. The clews of the spinnaker should be level when the pole’s height is correct.


Spinnaker


Spinnaker Pole Forguy Topping Lift Guy Cleat


Guy (Fixed Sheet)


Spinnaker Sheet (Active Sheet)


Topping Lift Cleat


Spinnaker Turning Block


Spinnaker Halyard


Table of Contents 65


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