Symmetrical Spinnakers

Asymmetrics can definitely give better reaching performance, especially tight reaching. If racing yachts choose to take the rating hit of carrying both (and there normally is a hit), that's the reason they do so.

http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index.php?s=331b691bb34 272346949934524548858&showtopic=4054

I believe the IACCs have to disconnect the forestay in order to gybe. Ooh er.

"Theirs is the so-called racer/cruiser category: boats that perform well enough to race but which are comfortable and easy enough for the family to daysail and cruise"

That's the boat-show cushion syndrome. "Yes dear, of course it isn't just for me to race with my beer-drinking buddies. Look at those comfy cushions, it's a perfect cruiser too." The smaller J's are definitely raceboats.

Edited by Stefan Lloyd

But set off a mast mounted movable pole or a fixed / slightly-movable bowsprit? 

This one is flown from a spinnaker pole, so it looks like a dinghy symetric & the sail looks pretty symetrical too.  BUT in the 2nd photo, the kite is inside out, indicating that it is at least gybed like an asymetric!   IE they reversed the kite during a gybe, reattaching the pole to the same corner of the sail?  Best of both worlds?

Here's a decent summary:

http://saltashsc.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=lessondb&am p;am p;action=display&thread=1122591041

forgive my ignorance, but I'm fascinated.

Edited by NickA

J-boats, yes indeed, but as it says in their brochure:

"Theirs is the so-called racer/cruiser category: boats that perform well enough to race but which are comfortable and easy enough for the family to daysail and cruise"

Also cruising shutes, I'm familiar with, but always thought they were for flotilla sailors (like me!) who can't be trusted with a "real" spinnaker.

I was thinking more of Americas cup giants where launch difficulty isn't an issue but raw performance is.  Any of those have asymetrics?

Edited by NickA