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Folding spinnakers

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12272
Printed Date: 29 Mar 24 at 11:22am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Folding spinnakers
Posted By: piglet
Subject: Folding spinnakers
Date Posted: 11 Jan 16 at 10:46pm
I didn't believe anyone did this but apparently some do!

So fess up, are you a folder or a bag stuffer? and why?



Replies:
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 11 Jan 16 at 11:00pm
I'll always fold a kite but I'd never dream of ironing any clothes (well, maybe a white shirt for work). A kite left in the chute makes such a lovely mouse nest, and if you're taking it out its so much less hassle to store if you've folded it, plus the more its crumpled up the quicker that nice crisp finish is going to go.


Posted By: sargesail
Date Posted: 11 Jan 16 at 11:34pm
I'm a convert to folding.  But at home once dry, not in the dinghy park where it gets a good stuffing.


Posted By: transient
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 12:40am
Roll not fold, then stuff it in a bag.....I usually go commando. It's all wrinkled.


Posted By: piglet
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 9:57am
Originally posted by JimC

plus the more its crumpled up the quicker that nice crisp finish is going to go.
Jims point is the bit I'm interested in,
Given that we don't generally fold our spinnakers at every leeward mark AND that it is difficult to get a crinkle free fold AND folding puts creases in anyway, is there a longevity gain?
 
Transient, when you roll, don't you get a load of crinkles anyway? In the kite I mean, nice image, thank you.Dead


Posted By: transient
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 10:27am
I roll it (sort of, it's more of an orderly gathering up) so it will go in the bag without jumping up and down on it. All the old  spinnakers I've seen are usually knackered because of stretching down the luff (obviously worse on assys) causing them to curl to early. Folding doesn't stop that.


Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 11:28am
I stuff mine into an oversized bag, typically leaving the corners hanging out so that is easier to reattach it next time without it blowing across the dinghy park/ floor

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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor


Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 12:16pm
Originally posted by piglet


Given that we don't generally fold our spinnakers at every leeward mark AND that it is difficult to get a crinkle free fold AND folding puts creases in anyway, is there a longevity gain?

The way I look at it is that every crease is a micro implement of life off the sail. If I fold the sail I put fewer creases in it than I do if I stuff it into a bag, and if its folded its less likely to get even more creases being chucked around. I can't do anything about the damage being done by hoists and drops, but I can do something to reduce storage damage.

I suppose if I were mega rich I'd have my boats stored in a hangar or something and suspend the kite from the ceiling without folding it at all...

So yes, I'm a cheapskate. That's why I don't waste electricity ironing undergarments...


Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 12:30pm
You missed the fourth option..

Leave it in the chute - forever.

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https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals      https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website


Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 12:52pm
Originally posted by iGRF

Leave it in the chute - forever.

Ah well, that depends on the local field mouse population...


Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 4:31pm
Originally posted by JimC

Originally posted by iGRF

Leave it in the chute - forever.

Ah well, that depends on the local field mouse population...


And the female crew who won't then hoist it for fear of upsetting the nest.

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https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals      https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website


Posted By: ClubRacer
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 6:21pm
when i really cant be arsed i leave it screwed up and you can see the creases when you pull it out the bag the next week

But when i do fold it nicely it comes out the bag looking almost new 

in the really light stuff you can see the creases as you launch it if you haven't folded it, this surely cant be quick 


Posted By: piglet
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 6:47pm
Originally posted by iGRF

Originally posted by JimC

Originally posted by iGRF

Leave it in the chute - forever.

Ah well, that depends on the local field mouse population...


And the female crew who won't then hoist it for fear of upsetting the nest.


I knew a family in Darwin with a Farr38 and a small, smelly, narcoleptic, partially sighted dog.
Whilst racing the son had hastily re-bagged the kite down below for the next hoist, no-one noticed the absence of the dog until the kite was hoisted straight out the bag, lucky no crocks in the harbour that day.


Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 12 Jan 16 at 7:05pm
I've always stuffed it in the bag after sailing, then take it home, dry it, then fold it and pack it into the bag.

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OK 2129
RS200 411



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