Asymmetric spinnaker A series

for cruising sailboats

Cruising spinnakers are designed for specific apparent wind angles (AWA). The polar chart depicts downwind traveling from the stern to the bow of the boat. Click on a spinnaker name for the product description CRUISING DOWNWIND SAILS What started as a simple multi-purpose asymmetrical spinnaker for cruising has been transformed into a series of three models specifically designed for the unique requirements of avid cruisers SPINNAKER DOUSING SLEEVE A dousing sleeve pulls down over the sail using a continuous control line, typically with a bell-shaped opening to allow the sleeve to be easily pulled down or up. The sail is set inside the sock, then deployed once fully hoisted, by pulling the sock up over the sail. To take down, the sleeve is pulled down over the sail and dropped under control FURLING SYSTEMS There are two varieties of furling systems for cruising spinnakers. A free-standing torsional rope can be inserted into the luff of the sail and attached to a traditional furling system, usually with a continuous-line drum that allows unlimited furling. This is wound from the bottom up. These work fine for sails that are relatively small and flat such as A0 sails For larger asymmetrical spinnakers, such as A3 and A2 a top-down furling system is preferred. A torsional rope is used, but instead of being inserted into the luff of the sail it remains separate. When the continuous furling line is pulled, the tack rotates on a swivel and the top swivel begins to wrap the spinnaker around the rope, furling from the “top down.” This is the only way to furl a larger spinnaker where the top sections are designed for broad reaching and running