How do y'all pronounce...

"spi"?

I mean, I'm really confused. I always heard spinnakers called 'spins' or 'chutes' or even, 'laundry'. (On second thought, 'laundry' refers to the whole sailplan, doesn't it.)

I do so want to be hip with this. You know, sounding REALLY salty and all that.

Is it pronounced 'spee' or 'speh' or 'spy'? Please elaborate...

thanks
tami

I did forget the term, 'kite,' didn't I?

But then, that terminology should be changing, since one literally can hang a kite off one's bows (reference Dave Culp and the KiteTugs etc.) I do have a kite for my Fboat although I've not hung it yet, and I also have a spinnaker for same.

This could be interesting: "Throw up the kite!"
---"No, the OTHER kite! You know, the chute-spin-uh...spee! Yeah, THAT one!"

I gotta know what to tell my crew, you know...

help,
tami

Oh oh pick me! What is sounds like "spigh" Mr. Trebec, as in hand me a plate of "spighetti..it could also be a word stem meaning when all the lines are tangled on the boat and the skipper says "take that sh&% thing down cause it looks like a pile of "spighetti" on the boat! Is'nt kite the Aussi term for spinnaker, to many Sailing Anarchist leftovers around here <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Here in Switzerland
We call them 'gennaker' if it is a 'asymmetrical spinnaker'. Abbreviation would be 'genny'. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

A 'spinnaker' or 'spi' here is symmetrical, if not specified as an asymmetrical spinnaker.

Agree it is confusing! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Also "Bag" as in "put the bag up"

One of the best skippers I know calls it "the b*tch," as in, "get the b*tch down!"

ps - we pitched anyway. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have in the past called them God Damm Thing! Had the Sharpie out one afternoon and almost put GDT on it.

I have used "spinny" as well

Kite would have to be the most widley used term for it in OZ.

Also don't forget the hanky..... Don't think that one is so hip any more though.

I keep confusing crew with "BLOW IT!" in those critical moments like, ohhh....not being able to reach over the end of a rock jetti with the kite up, or in a tight crossing with another boat (us without right of way). This SHOULD lead them to completely release the sheet, but lately has resulted in easing only a few inches or a confused stare for a few panicked moments. I frequently use "bag it" as an indication to snuff the spi, spinnaker, kite, whatever....

I asked for pronunciation, not dropping terminology...

although "SMOKE TH' HALYARD!" is my fave.

hee hee
tami

"spigh" as in 'Bligh' like Capt. Bligh?

A guy I crewed for, upon viewing the tramp looking like spaghetti, commented, "This boat's a cluster-f**k." You know who you are, you monitor this site... ;-)

I know a certain sailor here who calls it the "WHOMPER"

lol

In addition to "spinny" I've seen "assy" for assymetrical spinnys...

Also, don't forget "whomper" <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

"Wind" was a good sailing movie plus, it featured Jennifer Grey pre nose job. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

The Dutch call it a spi (spee).
I think anything that is short and shoutable will do.
"Diaper" is also a known synonym.

Tami, "Spi" is only used in type, like shorthand, not in regular vocabulary. Verbally it is refered to as Spin. or any of those other words, Chute and Kite are my personal favorites.

Kite is what I call it, and on real bad days it is known as the "multi coloured prawn trawler".

Stick the kite up, and; Dowse or kill the kite.

Blow or dump the sheet, all seem about right to me.

Like I said, I knew most the synonyms. I couldn't imagine how 'spi' could be pronounced for the life of me.

That, and I figured it would be good for a chuckle...

sea ya
tami

I call it "THE BIG'UN"

as in..

"put the BIG'UN up"

To douse this sail, we usually call it "FU$%"

as in... "FU$%"

and we still pitchpole.