dave wrote:Good points Fleck. Even the stock 7.9 chute is fairly tall and narrow as compared to something like a J24. IF [big if] someone was looking for the maximum downwind performance for the $$$$ and the least rating hit, a penalty pole would be the way to go because you just take the hit for the pole. It's ASSUMED that you will use a chute that's designed to that new JC so there's no further hit for the bigger sail, AND that would make a lower aspect ratio sail which should be a more efficient runner.
Masthead Spinnaker
Moderators: sderby, Tim Bosma, Tom Elsen
Re: Masthead Spinnaker
No offense was intended, as always, but I believe that I answered your question directly with this:
Re: Masthead Spinnaker
Can I carry the assymetric question out one more step?
First, let say hello to everyone and introduce myself. My name is Mark and I just bought a 7.9 to sail on Lake Thurmond in Georgia. Naturally, I have a lot more questions than answers at this point and this forum is a wealth of good information.
I understand the point about the weight of this boat not being conducive to gaining performance from an asym, but what about convenience? I will compete at the club with myself and one other more likely than not, so wrestling with the sym kite might be more of a chore than I can handle. I used to do it with two on a 22 ft boat, but jibing had me standing with the tiller between my legs, mainsheet in my teeth, and spin sheets in each hand. I ain't as young as I used to be.....
Sooo... even if there aren't performance gains, and possibly a small loss, do you all think the ability to race shorthanded would be a fair trade? The other option is no spin at all and race in the non-spin fleet. How would this boat fare without a spinnaker at all?
First, let say hello to everyone and introduce myself. My name is Mark and I just bought a 7.9 to sail on Lake Thurmond in Georgia. Naturally, I have a lot more questions than answers at this point and this forum is a wealth of good information.
I understand the point about the weight of this boat not being conducive to gaining performance from an asym, but what about convenience? I will compete at the club with myself and one other more likely than not, so wrestling with the sym kite might be more of a chore than I can handle. I used to do it with two on a 22 ft boat, but jibing had me standing with the tiller between my legs, mainsheet in my teeth, and spin sheets in each hand. I ain't as young as I used to be.....
Sooo... even if there aren't performance gains, and possibly a small loss, do you all think the ability to race shorthanded would be a fair trade? The other option is no spin at all and race in the non-spin fleet. How would this boat fare without a spinnaker at all?
Re: Masthead Spinnaker
Greetings,
and welcome to the class.
To answer your question we need to know; will you be racing in one-design configuration against other 7.9's or will you be racing in a mixed PHRF fleet?
If you're racing one-design, then you'll need to stick to the limitations proscribed in the class rules. If you're racing PHRF, then you do have some latitude, you can use an asymetrical in PHRF, but make sure the sail is measured and appears on your PHRF certificate. Talk with your PHRF authorities, and make sure that they're not going to penalize you for having and using anasymetrical.
Hope that helps.
and welcome to the class.
To answer your question we need to know; will you be racing in one-design configuration against other 7.9's or will you be racing in a mixed PHRF fleet?
If you're racing one-design, then you'll need to stick to the limitations proscribed in the class rules. If you're racing PHRF, then you do have some latitude, you can use an asymetrical in PHRF, but make sure the sail is measured and appears on your PHRF certificate. Talk with your PHRF authorities, and make sure that they're not going to penalize you for having and using anasymetrical.
Hope that helps.
Re: Masthead Spinnaker
Thanks Barry, I will race PHRF as there are no other 7.9's here. We have a small fleet, so it is a choice of spinnaker fleet against a mixed bag of J24's, J22's, J29, Capri 30 and a couple of others; or non-spin against a mixed bag of cruising boats. What I am trying to figure out is if this boat relies heavily on the spinnaker, which would handicap it against the non-spin fleet; or if an asym would handicap it too much in the spin fleet. My problem is that crew is limited and most days I'm sure it will be me and one other. I can manage that better with an asym if that is the fleet I need to be in.
As far as ratings go, it is my understanding the club PHRF committee rates boats by formula from scratch; not stock, established ratings. I dropped out of sailing/racing for close to 10 years and am just returning, so this is new to me. When I was racing years ago we just took the rating from the book.
As far as ratings go, it is my understanding the club PHRF committee rates boats by formula from scratch; not stock, established ratings. I dropped out of sailing/racing for close to 10 years and am just returning, so this is new to me. When I was racing years ago we just took the rating from the book.
Re: Masthead Spinnaker
Once again: You need to get a copy [or go online] of your LOCAL PHRF bylaws and just read it. Everything's in there. In our area "A" sails aren't rated any differently as long as the area is no greater.
I think that you will be SEVERELY disappointed with an A sail on a 7.9 on anything but a reach, and even then to make the sail work as well as possible it STILL needs to have the tack extended low and forward of the bow, which means that you STILL need to use the pole and have someone up there doing it. I have never understood the " shorthanded" argument for not wanting to use a standard chute. I have set, flown, jibed and doused the chute on many boats that I have owned by myself, and have done the same MANY time with just 1 other person on board. It's not the number of crew that you have but the skill of those who ARE on board that gets the job done. Most small keelboats need 4-5 total crew as rail meat to hold the boat down while sailing upwind, NOT to run all of the systems.
I think that you will be SEVERELY disappointed with an A sail on a 7.9 on anything but a reach, and even then to make the sail work as well as possible it STILL needs to have the tack extended low and forward of the bow, which means that you STILL need to use the pole and have someone up there doing it. I have never understood the " shorthanded" argument for not wanting to use a standard chute. I have set, flown, jibed and doused the chute on many boats that I have owned by myself, and have done the same MANY time with just 1 other person on board. It's not the number of crew that you have but the skill of those who ARE on board that gets the job done. Most small keelboats need 4-5 total crew as rail meat to hold the boat down while sailing upwind, NOT to run all of the systems.
Re: Masthead Spinnaker
Perhaps I have a misunderstanding of using an asym with a sprit. (remember- this is all new to me so I only know what I've read). I am under the impression that an asym behaves lke a genoa; only you can carry it a lot deeper offwind due to cut and control; no pole jibing required.
Re: Masthead Spinnaker
Good luck with whatever you choose to do! 