Asymmetricals and Code 0s

[Frenchy]

Thanks for the input, John. I'm a novice with all this though I've been sailing for 50 plus years. I like
Paul's ideas too especially since he has a 33. If he can make an asymmetrical work with no bowsprit or jutting
out bow pole, I can too. I already have a sock with the conventional spinnaker. I figure I could use my
working jib instead of the 135 and that would be more suitable for the high winds we often get here.
Then, in lighter winds, I could use the asymmetrical. Going dead down wind or 30 degrees to either
side of that, I'd be limping with a poled out working jib. But that's a fair compromise.
I looked at the prices of code 0 setups and the asym makes more sense. Plus, I wouldn't have to
engineer and build a deck attachment. It would be nice if the tack of the asym could be put a bit
farther forward than the anchor roller. - Jean

[John Stone]

I like your idea. While I’m not personally an advocate of the Code Zero, or much technology at all for that matter, for some folks it hits the sweet spot and they have the funds for it. It improves the quality of their sailing and after all that’s what we are all trying to achieve. There is also less expensive code zero hardware than Colligo.

[Tom Keevil]

Jean, we use an asymmetric on our 33 with no problem. You don’t need a bowsprit. We have a shackle on the forward end of the anchor roller fitting. We attach a block to that. The tack line runs down through that block and is cleated off at the bow. We don’t change the tack height very frequently, so going forward to do it is no problem. Although not entirely necessary, we attach the tack to an ATN Tacker, which keeps it closer to the centerline, and makes it somewhat easier to handle. With the ATN I think you could use your symmetric spinnaker as well, with no need for a pole. We also use a snuffer.

You definitely want some crew along until you get it all worked out. There are endless combinations of lines that are wrong, and only one that is correct, and you will screw it up for sure. The good news is that you are putting it up because the wind is so light, so it is not a threatening environment.

[Frenchy]

Thanks Tom. Yes, if there's a way to screw it up, I'll find it, as is my habit. The conventional spinnaker I'll
probably sell since I don't really have crew. The next thing will be to talk to a sailmaker. - Jean

[Paul D.]

Jean, Just to clarify, I haven't flown an asymmetrical on our 33. We have an old spinnaker that came with the boat and I purchased off someone on this board a used North launch bag, tacker and spinnaker sock so I would use it more. I do use it much more. This set up has worked pretty well and is pretty easy to set and douse.

However, I am making the assumption that using the asymmetrical handled in this manner would set and douse just as easily yet I would have much better shape and a wider wind angle working better on higher points of sail. I like that the sail lives in its own bag that it launches from and can live on deck or below as I see fit. We don't have much room for stowage on the 33 so I have considered sewing up a lifeline bag that I could launch the sail in its sock from and stow the tacker, tank line and sheet in. My brother has one on his CD36 which he likes.

Good luck! I love considering the best sail plans and set ups to make the boat go fast. P.s I did beat that 36 by 15 minutes on a 12 mile solo race. I think my genoa and that old spinnaker really helped.

[Tom Keevil]

I agree with Paul that stowage is an issue on a 33. Ours has moved around frequently, and it is always too inaccessible, too much in the way, or too much something else. We don’t really use it all that much, but it is great to have when the circumstances are right. If you’re mostly day sailing stowage is not an issue, but on a long cruise it looms large.