Beginner questions: Gennaker

Print Page | Close Window

Gennaker

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9306
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 6:50am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Gennaker

Posted By: kurio99
Subject: Gennaker
Date Posted: 07 May 12 at 2:58am

Have a new boat that has asymmetrical that is cut more like a gennaker rather than a spinnaker. Took it out today in a light wind (4 knots). The flatter cut enabled the boat to achieve its best speeds on a full beam reach.

Here's my question... Can I tack with a gennaker? Or is a gybe always faster and more effective?

Replies:

Posted By: Mister Nick
Date Posted: 07 May 12 at 8:57am

I'd gybe it personally. I'd imagine that you'd capsize or have a lot of problems in any sort of reasonable breeze if you tried to head up far enough to tack. A gybe would be much safer and less traumatic. Also, you've got to think about VMG. You shouldn't be going down the run on a beam reach because whilst your speed will be good, your VMG will be absolutely attrocious. Tacking will only make that worse. What kind of boat is it by the way?

-------------

Posted By: kurio99
Date Posted: 07 May 12 at 11:04am

It's a Canadian boat, called a CL Stealth. Similar to the RS100 in many ways.

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 07 May 12 at 11:32am

A gybe is always much faster than a tack (unless you fall in) because the boat remains under power almost right through the process instead of slowing to go head to wind. Just for the fun of being able to say I've done it I have tacked a boat with a *pole kite*, and I don't think it takes much more than ten times as long as a gybe...

If you tack an asymmettric with the kite up then the smallest of snaggles geting the kite round is almost guaranteed to tip you in.

Posted By: r2d2
Date Posted: 07 May 12 at 2:06pm

Originally posted by kurio99

It's a Canadian boat, called a CL Stealth. Similar to the RS100 in many ways.

sounds interestin - got any pictures?

Posted By: sargesail
Date Posted: 07 May 12 at 2:57pm

Looks OK:

http://vaxxine.com/clsailboats/stealth.htm - http://vaxxine.com/clsailboats/stealth.htm

IF heavy

Specifications:

Length :	14'6" 4.41 m
Beam :	5'8" 1.72 m
Draft :	c/b 3'6 1.05 m
Draft :	5" 13 cm
Weight :	170 lbs 77 kg
Main Sail:	92 sq.ft. 8.55 sq.m
Spinnaker:	120 sq.ft. 11.15 sq.m

Posted By: kurio99
Date Posted: 07 May 12 at 6:48pm

Have to agree on the weight. A tad overbuilt. I could ram and sink freighters with this one. The aluminum fins could decapitate endangered ceteceans without a dent.

That said, I had a fun sail on the weekend. A piddly 4 knots of wind, but the big genny gave her some legs. Smooth flow off the back with the transom barely skimming the water surface. Any other boat, I would have be crocheting and steering with my feet for excitement.