Having said all this I must underline the importance of having a trully modern cut spinnaker.

The high aspected kinds with a flat cut. These spinnakers are build for speed and they deliver. Up till a few years ago some sailmakers made the spinnaker to full for a catamaran and the boats wouldn't reach topspeed while using them. The kite would collapse as a result of the apparent wind rotating so far forward. This could only be solved by pointing lower. Thus the VMG was not to bad but the speed sensation was less than what you get with the high aspected and flat spis. Goodall Yacht sail used to produce the older cut spis for quite a time. But Pretty much since beginning 2003 they are producing the newer cut. I have sailed with both and the difference is striking. Also the newer cut spi have alot lee helm than before. In the case of my boat and Geerts we have no lee helm with the new spis.

While it is true that development (or rather refinement) continues in the design of spi it is also true that the largest part of the developement curve has been covered by now. So I don't really think that the need to buy new spis after a short timespan is a realistic one anymore. Pretty much any modern spi of today will be competitive where the smaller developments of today will only make a significant difference when summed up over several years. This is simply not a problem as any competitive sailor wants or needs to buy a new set of sails at least every 2 years anyways. This was never any different in the time before the spi as well. Often the old spi is used during practice untill it is destroyed where the new spi is only used during races and practice races. It is not unusual to use a spi for 4 to 5 years, when a little care is taken.

Personally I think the best sailing with the spi is done at 10-12 knots. Here the speed increase with the spi is the biggest and it really feels like you are going downhill on some greased ski's. In the past the "AHAAAH" feeling on the downwind was only encountered afater 15 knots. Now it is experienced much earlier. Only time the spi doesn't really help is when wind are below 4 knots. Here the spi doesn't fill properly and it feels like the non-spi boats keep up. Some advantage is kept to the high wind part of the spectrum, often make the boat more docile as well.

That is why I don't want to sail without a spinnaker.

It adds more meat to the experience, it makes racing more fair by making skill and handling more important then before, it feels good when sailed well and therefor fast.

Wouter