I am about to go for my first spinnaker ride. What do I need to look for, does anyone have tips/tricks, reference to a site/book, etc.... All advice is appreciated!

Marleen

The first thing you will want in your kit is a "grin removal tool".

If this is not your first time on a cat and you have trapped before then be prepared to trap out downwind. The problem here is that the "grin removal kit" will not work. I am sure that Jake knows that and did not mention this exclusion on purpose.

Have a great time,
Dan

Learn to bare away.

Tiger Mike

I am just amused that I might offer any advice. The spinnaker was the first sail Mosley taught me. Here is the extent of my knowledge. LOL.

You should trim the sail so that the luff is on the verge of collapsing. Let it curl inward occasionally and then sheet in a little. I tried to let it curl every time I took a breath. I imagined the sail was breathing with me. It seemed to work well. If you are working the spinnaker you can't take your eyes off of it for a moment to look around. Because you are keeping it on that edge of collapse, as soon as you look away it will fold. It is really fun to try to keep it there as the wind shifts. I think it is very challenging.

If you are reaching high you should ease the tack line to let the spinnaker rotate.

See there David, I was listening. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If you are helming the boat (you didn't say), keep focused on which direction to turn if you get overpowered - you want to steer downwind. It's a difficult transition to make because when you are sailing with the wind in your face, you normally turn into the wind to depower. The spinnaker will allow the boat to build enough apparent wind to put the wind in your face and you will have to fight the reflex to turn the wrong way.

Yeah, what jake said <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I found it amazing how well I could balance the boat by bearing away with the spin. I haven't learned how to keep it at the sweet spot yet.

When I helm, the sweet spot is found by starting to head back up after a bear off before I feel I should.

By the time I feel the boat start to level, its too late usually.

Actually found the sweet spot of spinnaker sailing after a few beers. Eileen and I were on the shore drinking when we decided to take the boat out. We were both ready to be aggressive and went for it. We did not really care if we capsized so I was to drive it until she said "uncle". She never did and we were rocking fast that day. I do not know how we did not go over because there was a lot of wind and swell that day. From then on we drove it harder and harder each time we sailed. There does come a point when you have to be able to drive it on the edge and not move the helm. The only way to do this it to know where too far is and not enough. The line it really thin when you find it.

Later,
Dan

Yes, that's it, having the gonads to risk actually going too far. It's the only way to find the grove, and developing the ability to repeat it only comes with experience. Take it to the limit and do it often. The grin <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> just keeps getting bigger.

Sorry Jake, grin removal kit did not work on FX-One (solo). Can't stop smiling!

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

yep, I figure I need to go out after a few beers... but I don't like drinking during the day that much. Hmmmm... spin sailing in a small waterway at night, under spin, drunk... not for me- but too bad I wasn't into this sport 10 years ago <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />