Spinnaker Chute.

Hi all,

hope this is not a dumb question. Was crewing on a F25 today and the owner who sails mostly short handed, asked if it is possible to fit a spinnaker chute. He has seen me on my Formula 16 one up, dousing and hoisting spinnaker with ease. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I said the size of his spinnaker could cause problems, but after thinking, I thought somebody may have tried and thought this would be the place to find out. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

So what do you Farrier sailors think, has it been done is it possible?

Regards Gary. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am hoping by 'spinnaker chute' you mean 'snuffer' as is the term over here, for in the US you've just used two terms for the same thing ;-) 'chute' is the nickname for 'spinnaker'

In any case, you'd need to go to the Farrier sites to find out for sure about the class legality. I can't think of any reason why, except the sprit isn't really long enough for the snuffers I've seen.

Alternatively, I guess you could install a 'spinnaker sock' which is a cover sliding down from the masthead attachment over the chute, but eeew, the windage...

Personally, I don't run a chute if I'm shorthanded, and shorthanded to me is two on board. I use the screacher instead. Maybe if the wind is real light I might call for the chute if one other is on board, but if there's just two of us, we're cruising, and who cares?

Others' mileage may vary...

I built a snuffer for my SC20, and am working on a larger version of the same design for Flight Risk (a custom 24' cat w/ a large assym spin). I've been constructing a hoop out of 1" dia. alum tubing (will use 1.25" for the bigger boat), welding a bracket to the hoop at about 45 degrees, the bracket conforms to the outside dia of the pole, and is hose clamped to the pole. A nylon sock is sewn (Sailrite offered advice on the appropriate fabric) with a few "belts" of webbing around the outside of the sock to provide attachment points, and attached to the outside of the alum hoop with glue and s.s. self tapping screws (with special washers). The hoop attaches just forward of the forestay bridle, and the sock extends aft alongside the pole, then under the tramp.
Don't see why this wouldn't work for you application. Sock length would be related to the number and placement of the snuffer patches on your spinnaker. You might experiment with hoop diameters before final construction to find a size that the chute passes thru easily (I'm looking at 16' to 18" diameter for Flight Risk). PM me if you want pics.

Dave 509 276 6355

Hello Gary-

The size of the chute for the F25 is the factor for using a snuffer. On my ARC22 [615 sqft - similar in size] Aquarius has been trying to develop a method that won't destroy the sail. Dragging that size chute will rub off the coating on the sail and create excessive wear that doesn't occur on the smaller chutes.

I bought a Roller furling spin for my F25c from Gordon at GMSails in Ormeau. It works well. He has made several of these for Fboats around the planet. Gordon also made his own carbon tri & sails and races competitively.You might contact him for advice as well as references regarding the use/characteristics of this sail. I put mine on a continious Fancor furler. You can literally keep the sail up and driving almost to the mark before furling. That translates into extra...

Also, you might try the FTA/Fboats site for further responses


sail fast

thommerrill
F25c #009 Charisma
ARC22 #2234 Widowmaker

A manufacturer of snuffers posted in his website that 400 sqft is the max spi area for a snuffer. Sorry, I don't remember the site or the name of the manufacturer, just the figure.

thanks all, for the info, it seems to be pretty much what I thought.

Regards Gary. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />