asymmetrical spinnaker

[David Brownlee]

Our "new" Cape Dory 31 came with a barely used Hood "MP-S" [multi-purpose sail], which we've just measured and hoisted for the first time. The Hood literature about the sail says that it is supposed to be set like a genoa when going to windward or close reaching, with "tack pennant set taut." It claims that one can sail up to 40 degreees apparent wind when its blowing 5 knots or less. This is an attractive idea, since the boat doesn't have a genoa.

The problem is that the luff of the MP-S measures 42 feet, to which must be added about a foot for the wire pennant at the top (needed for the dousing sock). But the forestay is only 41 feet long, making a tight luff impossible.

And so the question is: Should I have the sail shortened? Or will we find that we can carry this sail, as is, on a close reach or a bit higher? All advice welcomed!

David B. Brownlee
CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[David Sabourin]

Our "new" Cape Dory 31 came with a barely used Hood "MP-S" [multi-purpose sail], which we've just measured and hoisted for the first time. The Hood literature about the sail says that it is supposed to be set like a genoa when going to windward or close reaching, with "tack pennant set taut." It claims that one can sail up to 40 degreees apparent wind when its blowing 5 knots or less. This is an attractive idea, since the boat doesn't have a genoa.

The problem is that the luff of the MP-S measures 42 feet, to which must be added about a foot for the wire pennant at the top (needed for the dousing sock). But the forestay is only 41 feet long, making a tight luff impossible.

And so the question is: Should I have the sail shortened? Or will we find that we can carry this sail, as is, on a close reach or a bit higher? All advice welcomed!

David B. Brownlee
CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD

David,

We have a "Flasher" built by UK and it has a luff dimension longer than the forestay. this is to enable you to get a good sail shape when running off the wind. I would not shorten your sail just to make it act like a genny. When we pull ours down and trim it in we can sail an apparent angle of about 50 degrees. Not in wind over 12 knots tho. Anything higher than that and the boat is overpowered and heels excessively. This is just our experience with our cruising chute and we love it.



hatter11@erols.com

[Jerry Axler]

Our "new" Cape Dory 31 came with a barely used Hood "MP-S" [multi-purpose sail], which we've just measured and hoisted for the first time. The Hood literature about the sail says that it is supposed to be set like a genoa when going to windward or close reaching, with "tack pennant set taut." It claims that one can sail up to 40 degreees apparent wind when its blowing 5 knots or less. This is an attractive idea, since the boat doesn't have a genoa.

The problem is that the luff of the MP-S measures 42 feet, to which must be added about a foot for the wire pennant at the top (needed for the dousing sock). But the forestay is only 41 feet long, making a tight luff impossible.

And so the question is: Should I have the sail shortened? Or will we find that we can carry this sail, as is, on a close reach or a bit higher? All advice welcomed!

David B. Brownlee
CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD

I sail a 36 with a Hood MPS and I believe the claim of 40 degrees apparent is advertising hyperbole. 50 is more like it and never above 15 apparent. It starts to overpower on a close reach at about 11-13
knots apparent. Don't cut the sail since you will need all the surface area downwind for which the sail was primarily designed.



cutter36@erols.com

[len]

david

i also have a CD 31 with a cruising spinnaker in a sock - i agree with others re leaving the sail as it is - i've used mine downwind with the yankee also set (and no main) using the boom to hold it out -i find that i have to gather the sail initially to get the sock up, otherwise it bunches up inside - and you have to watch out for all kinds of tangles, wraps, etc - of course it's hardest single-handed but not impossible

len



md.frel@nwh.org