Gentleman,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Forrest and live in Inverness, in Central Florida. Being an older fellow, I just recently purchased a Inter 20 from a dealer. I previously owned and sailed a Prindle 18' ( #2004 ) for about 12 years. Certainly not a racer, but day sailor. I sailed one race at the SRQ sailing group for a New Year's day hangover race. I have been following the threads on here for a couple of months and have learned lots from the vast number of highly experienced sailors. As I stated, having bought the I-20, I see it's certainly no Prindle. I am learning bits and pieces as to this spin sailing. Could any of you folks recommend books and or websites as to how to sail and trim this boat and uses for the different adjustments on the boat. I know the basic bells and whistles from the "P" but this one has more lines to set and things to do.

Again, I appreciate the opportunity to post here, and thank you for your assistance.

Great winds and lite seas,

Forrest

Forrest,

If you use the search function, there are plenty of threads dicussing Spi technique.

Forrest,
If you could make your way down to Islamorada this weekend, there will be 15+ Nacra 20's for you to look at and sailors to ask.

There are quite a few books that will give a general idea on the theory of how it is supposed to work. There are also many threads on technique. These are probably the least value as it takes a fair amount of experience to separate the disinformation from the good advice.

As stated above the best and fastest way to learn is dirrectly from experienced skippers. If you can get on a boat with some is best, but next is just talking to them and watching what it is they do.

M

As one old fart to another, get help. The spin is a lot of work. And very exciting!

Forrest, welcome to Fun Sailing! Rick White has an excellent book available here in his on-line store, called "Catamaran Racing for the 90's" (Hey, time for a re-write Rick!) In it there is a whole chapter on spinnaker sailing.

This is probably the best web site for that kind of information, and as some have suggested, take it to any regatta, there will be other spinnaker cats there to show you how it's done. The Inter 20 can be a little intimidating at first because of the size and power, but once you figure it out, it is a great boat, it's fast and stable. Inverness is over by Tampa, is that right? There is a cat sailling group over there at Dunedin who could help you out. Or get to the Gulfport Yacht Club (St. Pete area) there are plenty of knowledgeable people there to help you.

Tim Bohan, Sebring, Fl.

Forrest....check your pm's.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the great advice and tips. This weekend is shot, but will try to make another race just for the experience and chance to meet you all. Chris, thanks for insight on the search. Matt thanks for the heads up on taking it with a grain of salt. Yeah, Pete, I just don't seem to bounce across the tramp as quick as before.

Tim, great point. It is quite a boat, and the adjustments on the mast, sail, jib, and spin are like a who's who or what's that and what does it do type of thing.

But yes, I am about a hour and a half from the Causeway to Honeymoon Island. I was there twice last year and met a great group of folks and will be back. My wife being a City Lady, I'm having to break this to her slow. Hanging her off the side of the boat will take time.

But thanks again to everyone with the advice and help and will be following through with it.

Have a great and safe race!

Forrest

Just remember two things so you don't break anything expensive.

1. You don't have to put the long boards all the way down if it's blowing, keeping them half way up will keep the hull from popping up in every gust.

2. If you are going to fly the spinnaker in a blow, do not dump off all the mainsheet if you get overpowered, the mast may break. Better to drop the traveler all the way down and bear off quite a bit, the big bows will keep you afloat. I used to sail mine alone in 15+ wind under complete control, just by letting the traveler out and keeping the boards up a bit. Doing those two things really make it much easier. And plenty of down-haul and out-haul.

try reading http://www.catsailor.com/forums/showflat...true#Post105316

and here http://www.catsailor.com/forums/showflat...=true#Post85948

and here http://www.catsailor.com/forums/showflat...=true#Post75126

and here http://www.catsailor.com/forums/showflat...=true#Post65255

plenty to keep you busy there

Sorry, you will need to move to the top of each thread.