BIG RED: The spinnaker

Graham & Michelle Payn - Bird On A Wire
 

We had the opportunity to try out the larger option spinnaker at Lake Macquarie on the weekend . The conditions where ideal with a 8-12 knot Sou-easter. The first reach saw us catch up to boats at the mark with the kite holding an even pressure to keep the crew out and able to hold a course just as high as the boats in front.

Due to the fast acceleration when a puff hits, the crew has to trim in a lot of sheet to take the apparent wind. When it does shake it does tend to move the tip of the mast over. Downwind you can feel the extra push of the kite through the boat. Again, although we were behind, the gains where noticeable, this time passing a couple of boats.

The second time around after the gybe mark the wind headed slightly and an increase in strength made for some interesting handling. This time the kite collapsed all along the luff and shook both crew and rig. Sailing this angle the kite tended to pull the rig over and not to lift the bow out. The boat behind us was finding the angle close as well and rounded the mark with no gain. Moving the turning blocks right aft may help to open up the exit.

The spinnaker we used was loaned to us by Dave Porter who had extra two panels put in a standard spinnaker. The head was a bit unstable in the lighter airs, but filled out under pressure. The spinnaker tended to collapse most of the way along the luff and then just shake. A lot of anticipation is needed to keep it pulling. The weekend at Jervis Bay we are trying a Sharpie's large spinnaker which is a larger version of the 505 kite and fits the measurements.

A comparison of the two can be made as to the shape and slightly more rounded luffs. Mike Quirk and Brian Robertson are not far off getting the bigger spinnaker. The more we try these kites the more feed back we will be able to share with other fleets. GO THE BIG ONES! Please note: due to the sensitive nature of women, I will not disclose my crew's weight Michelle was asked how she managed the larger spinnaker. Her comment was "Big is better, but does it have to be red!

From the Crew

The first reach proved that the angles were right for the breeze, which was a consistent 8 knots. Under these conditions the spinnaker was filling nicely and the boat felt more stable compared to the smaller spinnaker. On the last reach where the breeze had increased to 12 knots and the angles were tighter it became more of a handful. There were a few times it felt we were on the edge.

The boat was hard to keep flat and the spinnaker was pulling the boat over without feeling as though we were overpowered. Trimming was extreme and required a lot of sheeting. Whilst running square the increased pressure on the sheet was substantial. It definitely provided more power downwind.