CJT24,

You're right there is definately a windage problem with snuffers. Like with all things it is a trade off, you gain speed downwind but suffer a little bit upwind.

That is one reason why I personally prefer the bag system. even a bare pole has some windage but it is noticably less than with the bag. I'm convinced that the extra time required to retrieve the spi are compensated by losing less time when going upwind or even the tactical advantages of being able to point a little higher. Having said this, I've found that with a little practise the manual system needs not be more than a seconds slower than the snuffer system. Something, when the snuffer is not lubricated enough I tend do be even quicker.

It takes practice and a bit of debate on how the skipper and crew should work together but after this is completed you'll be surprised how quickly you can take down a 17,5 sq. mtr. spi of the F16's. It is not a big spi. If anything, most time is lost on putting it in the bag. That is why bag choices are important.
I personally dislike the doublesided zipper system. They tend to wast alot of time when you retrieve on the other side than where you hoisted it from. Than you have to close one zipper and open up the other side and those zipper always clog up with salt after a while. I much prefer the Hobie cat spi bag over the zipper bag. See attached picture.

The only draw back of this bag is that sometimes the spi is pulled out by the tension of the halyards. That is because most people fit their bag with the opening facing forwards. Even I did that for two years. Recently it occured to me that I could just turn the bag around and let the opening face backward. It will be better accesable to the crew and the halyard will jam itself in the corner and it will be alot more difficult for it to pull out the spi while sailing. Rotate the picture in your mind and assume your facing the bag in that position. Its is also easier shoving the spi in that way isn't it ?

This got me think. What if I made a bag that was 100 % a lid and that was held close by a bungee running over it from an eyelet on one side to an eyelet on the other ? Something like halve a circle ? By pulling on the trap one would pull the bungee away and the lid would be opened and flap all the way forward exposing the spi. On could probably immediately hoist the spi from that position maybe just quickly shoove it to lee a 70 cm while reaching for the halyard. This would allow ligthning sets. Retrieving would go the usual way but putting it in the bag would be nothing more than grasping the bundle with one hand shoove to the right postion to where it will be covered by the lid and close the lid with the other hand. Shouldn't take more than a few seconds too. Much less windage and the manual system wears down the spi much less.

The next best alternative would be a midpole snuffer or one right in front of the bridles. The full pole snuffers are the worst. Ask Kirt Simmons about comparing these two, he checks this forum regulary, Kirt ? He owns and sails with both systems. He found the midpole system to be a noticable improvement over the full length snuffer.

The other alternative is the trampoline based snuffer but this one has as downsides that it requires three patches in the sail and requires the spi to be set and doused on the same side.

Having said this I'm beginning to learn how to do Windward douces and is simpler than I expected it to be.

Maybe I should at one time make a proper workinstruction of it and post it.

Wouter