I have installed the new mid-pole snuffer but the wind didn't cooperate at Catfest so haven't been able to test the new chute out. While setting the new pole it seems to low, certainly compared to other boats. This is on a 18SX and its a Tiger chute. I need to check the height of my bail but believe its too low (approx 25-26'). Question is...should the chute be as low as possible or higher for best performance? I'm aware of sheeting angles and so forth, for best performance and speed where should the chute be in relation to the hulls, main, etc??

Maybe I should ask this another way. Should the foot of the spin be above or even with the foot of the main? Or should it be below?

All sails should be as low as possible so you do not give it all up to righting moment. That said there is also the aspect ratio of a sail which is actually a wing. The higher aspect seems to be more efficient.

I think that you would like the spinnaker as low a possible but you do not want the pole hitting the water or the waves at all in any conditions. The height of the boom seems like a nice place to start as far as how high the tip (tack of the spinnaker) should be.

Dan

I am new to spin sailing and am a little confused by the idea I always thiought a spinny would lift the boat and stop it from pitching.
I note this with skiffs.
I imagine the lower the spin the less likey to lift????
What is the real story?

Make sure you have the top of the spi very close to the spi gate at the mast. You don't want to have the top dangling on a piece of 20 inch long line there. Adjust all the rest to that, UNLESS this screws up you sheeting angle, then you must reposition your mast gate itself. Although altnatively you could also reposition the last block on the sheet line to get the right sheeting angle.

Wouter

Thanks Dan and Wouter! Wouter, I assume you are referring to the bail when you state gate? The head of the sail is tight to the bail, the tack is above the bows by 2-3". As my 18 curves up at the bows I may be a little higher than the Tiger, but the furler is higher on a Tiger so not sure. Jacques stated the bail on a Tiger was 26'8" from the base, mine is not that high up but the sail seems to be in the right place and the sheeting angles are good. Dan, I would say its very close to the height of the boom. The spin foot is almost in line with the foot of the main. I would think that unless I buried the bows the pole wouldn't hit the water. I may have too much prebend in it, its hard to tell. I think the end-pole system had more bend but I'm not certain. Sounds like I may have it set correctly. Really like the new hoop design and bag from Hobie, sail goes in and out like its greased. I didn't even need to spray it down with sailkote, yet.